Empower June 2025

Donate | Sign In | Join

News & Press: Empower

Email to a Friend

Sunday, June 15, 2025 (0 Comments)
Posted by: Jennifer Riggs

Share |

View this email in your browser

June 2025

GWIS Empower provides career and leadership advice for women in science, with member-generated content. This issue celebrates pride month, highlighting the achievements of LGBTQ+ scientists and tech leaders, and discussing barriers that sexual and gender minorities are facing withing the workplace. Celebrating the LGBTQ+ scientific community has many forms, ranging from inclusive children's books and specifically organized conferences like the 15th oSTEM conference held in Baltimore, MD. Get ready also for the 2025 GWIS National Conference in Saint Louis, MO on June 19-21! Finally, we feature the Hyundai Women in STEM scholarship (due June 30).

Astronaut Sally Ride's Legacy, LGBTQ+ Rights, and Progress for Women in STEM

In the 1980s, Sally Ride was the first American woman to travel to space. A rare opportunity for a woman at that time, but it came at a cost. While exploring space, Sally Ride was hiding a long-term relationship with another woman. National Geographic Documentary Films released "Sally" documenting the challenges faced and sacrifices made by Sally Ride. Listen to a conversation between the City Club and Sally Ride on the battle against LGBTQ+ and DEI attacks today.

Listen here

27 LGBTQ+ Scientists and Tech Leaders Shaping Our Future

According to Pride in Stem, 28 percent of LGBTQ+ people have considered quitting their STEM careers because of a hostile workplace or discrimination. One in three physicists in the U.S. has been urged to avoid coming out to progress their careers and avoid . This article highlights the perseverence of LGBTQ+ CEOS, engineers, and entrepreneurs that have battled barriers for LGBTQ+ individuals, and are making our lives better.

Read article

Coming out at work: transgender scientists share their stories

Mar Hicks, a historian researching transgender history at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, says "the mainstream belief is that "trans people" are brand new, and the issues they face are also brand new”. But that's not true! Transgender scientists have faced barriers for a long time and the political landscapes turn increasingly hostile in many places. For Pride month, several transgender scientists shared their experiences about transitioning in an academic environment with Nature. With their stories, they want colleagues to accept their existence and their right to be full members of the scientific community

Read the interview

‘We’re hurting.’ Trans scientists call for recognition and support from research community

Twenty-four scientists from around the globe came together to write a commentary on systemic barriers that sexual and gender communities face in science and the need for the research community to address them. The commentary outlines concrete actions that people across the scientific community can take to STEMM fields more inclusive, and includes messages of solidarity and support for trans researchers. In an interview with Science, the authors talk about their work and the challenges the trans community faces in STEMM.

Link to Article

3 Recent LGBTQ-Inclusive Kids’ Books With STEM Themes

Career paths in STEM are as diverse as the people that walk them. It is crucial to introduce kids of all identities to STEM fields and let them dream about a STEM career. Interested in LGBTQ-inclusive children's books that are STEM-themed? There are plenty! This article highlights three recent books.

Find books here

15th Annual oSTEM Conference

The oSTEM is hosting their 15th annual conference in Baltimore, MD on October 16-18 2025. Ths conference invites LGBTQ+ students, professionals, and recruiters in STEM fields from across the country and around the globe. The conference content ranges from introspective (e.g., safe space discussions) to technical (e.g., latest in research conducted by our members). The Career & Graduate School Expo allows attendees to connect and network with professionals, academics, and colleagues from STEM industries and universities. IIf you are interested in attending the oConference, the deadline for early-bird registration and research talk submissions is June 30th 2025.

More info here

GWIS National Conference 2025

More info here

Scholarships

Hyundai Women in STEM Scholarship

Hyundai recognizes the power of diverse minds. With their Women in STEM Scholarship they aim to empower women in STEM and build a future that reflects the needs of everyone. Eligible applicants include high school seniors and college undergraduates who identify as female, reside in the United States, and wish to pursue a STEM-related field of education. To apply, write an essay of at least 500 words describing a tech project or initiative you envision in your chosen STEM field that addresses a real human need. Discuss how you would integrate empathy into your research and design process, how you’d ensure inclusivity and accessibility, and the positive outcomes you foresee for individuals and communities when people remain the central focus of innovation. Hyundai awards five scholarships in the amount of $10,000 each. Deadline to apply is June 30 2025.

Link to Scholarship

Want to connect on-line with other women scientists? Join the GWIS Slack channel. GWIS also has a private LinkedIn group for connecting with nearly 2,000 women scientists to share interesting news, job opportunities, and more! Want to form a small group? Contact the GWIS Media group to access our private forums and help you solicit fellow GWIS participants!

Get Involved with GWIS!

Support and be part of a growing network of women scientists.

Join or Renew

About GWIS

Founded in 1921, Graduate Women in Science is an inter-disciplinary society of scientists who collectively seek to advance the participation and recognition of women in science and to foster research through grants, awards and fellowships. We comprise over 20 active chapters of more than 800 women who are "United in Friendship through Science" to support and inspire member professional goals and mutual appreciation of science. Learn more at www.gwis.org.

Contact GWIS

PO Box 7
Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
www.gwis.org

President
Nafisa Jadavji
Editor
Zhaowei Jiang
Membership Secretary
Ogochukwu Ozotta
GWIS Empower Copy Editor
Erica Howard
GWIS Empower Content Editor
Selina Bruckner

« Back to Index

	Edit This Favorite
Name:
Category:
Share:	Yes No, Keep Private

Edit This Favorite

Empower June 2025