The UN has reported that American women comprise only 7 percent of the 12 million jobs in STEM fields, and in North America and Europe, women represent just 37 percent of officials in local deliberative governing bodies.
In Washington, D.C., women across the city are working to remedy these statistics.
Though Women’s History Month has just passed, three local female leaders in science and politics encourage young women to find their voice and follow their passions, no matter the time of year.
Once an American University student herself, Professor Betsy Fischer Martin is now the executive director of the Women and Politics Institute. Aiming to “close the gender gap in political leadership,” the program creates a space for women interested in politics and opportunities for career growth through certificate programs, speaker events and unique courses.
“Students who take a certain number of our courses can graduate with a certificate in Women in Public Policy and Political Leadership,” Fischer Martin said. “We offer courses on everything from just Women in Politics, to Women in the Media, Women in the Global Economy, lots of different areas.”
WPI hosts a variety of events throughout the year including large scale panels and events open to the entire University. On a smaller scale, the institute houses the Lunch and Leadership program, a small group setting for students to talk individually with a professional in their field.
According to Fischer Martin, WPI’s staple program is the WeLead Training Program, a free one-year campaign training opportunity for young women looking to run for office one day. The program aims to encourage young female students to enter public service, run for office or find their voice in an everyday setting.
“We think of [Women’s History Month] as kind of a bridge between sort of inspiration and action,” Fischer Martin said. “Students are able to learn the story [of the program], understand the barriers and hopefully leave with something that they can do.”
To young women like Skyler Barry, working in politics is like something out of a movie — bridging inspiration and action. Barry is a sophomore in the School of Public Affairs and the Kogod School of Business and is in the midst of her third internship on Capitol Hill.
Inspired by her parents, two Americans representing different political parties who are still able to maintain a relationship and conversation, Barry finds it important to have cooperation and a middle ground in politics. Despite her passion being driven by the women in her own life, Barry said she struggled to find female role models in her field before coming to American University.
“Being able to see [women] who are just a couple years my senior, being able to work in politics, it gives me some hope for the future,” Barry said.
As a young woman on the Hill, Barry said she didn’t think her male coworkers trusted her to handle more controversial issues. In her majority-male office, her peers disbelieved her opinions, she said.
Barry said she has faced the same doubt from her peers and her superiors in the classroom. When she was one of three female finance students in a classroom, Barry said her professor suggested it might be better if she married rich.
Still, Barry said she has not let doubts and criticism from coworkers and professors stifle her journey. The knowledge that her experiences and studies will help her in her journey to success is what she said keeps her moving.
“They’re not important, so what they say isn’t important,” Barry said. “Having your own self worth, just being confident in that and knowing that you know whatever you do, you’re not gonna completely fail.”
Because Science, a small women owned business in Adams Morgan, is an independent shop that fosters scientific education and creativity.
According to founder Amanda Presky, her background in science helped her understand the business world while giving her a unique perspective on how to navigate it. Presky’s experience in graduate school translated to the business world when it came to quick problem solving.
“It’s the [same] system of trying something, building something, assessing it and repeating,” she said.
Because Science is a niche gift shop as well as a craft space with workshops and events. Presky said diversity is a focal point when curating items for the shop.
“We have become this space for folks to feel seen, to feel appreciated and to feel understood,” she said.
As a woman in science and a female business owner, Presky said she has faced difficulties in both areas, recalling the immense challenges she experienced when financing her store.
According to Presky, the bank would constantly ask for statements and explanations on her finances. But when she provided those documents, more would be requested, stalling her ability to open.
“I was constantly explaining myself,” Presky said.
According to Presky, Because Science displays anatomically accurate depictions, but it remains a space for kids and adults. Presky said she has noticed how everyone appreciates the scientific and creative activities the local space provides beyond a classroom setting.
“We have a focus on science and art, which isn’t something that exists, certainly not in Adams Morgan, anywhere else,” she said.
Like the WPI’s training program, Because Science also works to educate and workshop with young women year-round.
“I would encourage people to think about representation, to think about using their voice, not just in the month of March, but all year round,” Fischer Martin said.
This article was edited by Olive Redd, Payton Anderson and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Avery Grossman and Mattie Lupo. Fact-checking done by Andrew Kummeth and Luca Palma Poth.
