September 2019
SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

Please check out below for what's going on in MWM! 
MENTORING HEADLINES
2019 Leaders to Learn From Series

The  2019 Million Women Mentors Leaders to Learn From series showcases the career paths of STEM leaders who have followed unique pathways to attain their current status. Every month we will celebrate the story of a new trailblazer who beat the odds and define what it means to be a role model. These profiles will celebrate individuals who persevere against convention and remind young people and seasoned veterans alike that there is no longer a "traditional" means to career success.

We are happy to announce this month's leader Sonar Thekdi , Vice President of Engineering Business Operations, IoT, Cisco Systems. We are very excited to feature Sonar and her journey of following her gut to chart an unconventional career path! Feel free to share this profile with your networks to show women across the globe that there is no longer a 'traditional' model of a successful career. To download the profile please click here or the image below.
REMINDER: It is Time to Get Your Numbers in For ‘Be Counted!’ 2019
 
As we begin 2019, it is important you start thinking about our   Million Women Mentors ‘Be Counted!’ Campaign , an effort to record all of the mentoring of girls and women in STEM that is happening already for 2019! We know companies, organizations, and individuals are working to move the needle for girls in STEM currently, and now we just need to count it!
 
Now you can easily record the mentoring you are doing just by clicking on the Be Counted! button after logging into the website. After logging in, just fill out the information about the mentoring you have done, and voila! You will be counted!
 
Please help spread the word about this campaign and get all of the mentoring counted!  If you would like the Be Counted! Campaign Cheat Sheet click here . As well, the link to share out for our Google form can be accessed by   clicking here.
 
If you have any questions or comments, please contact  Alexa.Gitler@stemconnector.com .
Mark Your Calendars for Another #BeyondTheBuzzChat!!

WHEN: Thursday, September 12, 2019
TIME: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm ET
WHERE: On Twitter with the hashtag #BeyondTheBuzzChat

Please join us on Thursday, September 12 at 3 pm ET for the next Twitter chat in our 2019 #BeyondTheBuzzChat series. In this chat we want to talk about tips, the role of teachers and parents, clubs, after-school programs, STEM competitions, and other initiatives that help engage girls in STEM learning as they begin the school year!

#BeyondTheBuzzChat is part of MWM’s broader Beyond The Buzzword campaign, which seeks to move beyond sideline support for STEM’s many buzzwords, and show what it takes to actually do them and make an impact. Past topics have included Women’s History Month, what mentoring relationships look like in real-life, and the importance of evaluating success in programs for Girls in STEM. You can learn about the origins of the campaign  here . Hope to see you all there!
Women In Insurance Initiative Embarks on Comprehensive Study on the State of Women in the Industry

On June 12th the Million Women Mentors'  Women in Insurance Initiative (WII)  Consortium announced the launch of a data collection project designed to measure and provide insight into issues and opportunities that currently exist for women in the insurance industry.  Verisk , a leading data analytics provider and member of the consortium, is leading the data collection. WII is encouraging the insurance industry's senior leaders and HR professionals to join and include their organizations in this first-of-its-kind research and important data gathering exercise. The WII 2019 data collection will ask companies to share valuable information about employee demographics, diversity and inclusion programs, and gender parity initiatives. Verisk will aggregate the information for release in the fall of 2019.To provide a deep and comprehensive view of issues and opportunities for women in the insurance industry, the survey will collect detailed information about the numbers of men and women employed throughout the industry, looking at their age ranges, highest education completed, and ethnic groups. It will further examine how many women hold management positions, and what issues are driving inequality in the workplace. All responses will be kept strictly anonymous, allowing organizations to provide candid responses. For more information or to participate in the survey, HR professionals should contact wii@stemconnector.com
PARTNERS
Mentoring To and Through College

Thursday, September 19 2019, 1:00PM - 2:15PM EDT

Not only can applying and getting to college be a daunting endeavor, but also navigating the higher education system, once you are there, can be an even more overwhelming and mystifying experience, especially for young people whose families never attended college. Programs that mentor students to and through college can make a big impact. From learning about funding opportunities through scholarships and federal funding to forming the networks to build their social capital and navigate those on-campus supports, these can all serve to better the college experience and increase persistence. This webinar will focus on the ways mentoring programs and mentors can support youth as they transition to and through college. Click here to register.
Alliant Energy Partnership with Iowa 4-H Kicks Off InventSTEM

Today, it’s more important than ever that young people are engaged with and interested in STEM. Looking for a way to combine innovation, creativity, and critical thinking, InventSTEM was conceptualized by the Iowa 4-H Program in partnership with Alliant Energy. Working in teams, youth first learn about wind energy through specific educational activities. Next, they will work together to develop and submit a solution and prototype for the challenge. Finalists will be chosen by Alliant Energy and a showcase will be held at the 2020 Iowa State Fair. Kits will be available at each county Iowa State University Extension Office in Iowa.

Iowa 4-H InventSTEM draws on research-based information to help youth explore real world problems. Alliant Energy employees provided feedback and guidance create educational activities and challenge questions. There are also literacy, communication, and career exploration components of the program. “STEM programs help form a problem-solving mindset in kids,” said Julie Bauer, Manager of Community Affairs for Alliant Energy. “Supporting STEM programs develops a future workforce not only for Alliant Energy but the whole state. We’re always looking for talented people who are ready to put their knowledge AND creativity to work.” Find more information: extension.iastate.edu/4h/inventstem
2020 STEP Ahead Awards

The Manufacturing Institute’s STEP Women’s Initiative is dedicated to fostering a 21st-century manufacturing workforce that honors and promotes the role of women at all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory floor to the C-suite. One important way we do so is by recognizing exceptional women in manufacturing at the annual  STEP Ahead Awards  gala and empowering those honorees to pay it forward with tools to mentor and inspire the next generation. Over the past seven years, we’ve honored more than 900 women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in science, technology, engineering and production (STEP) careers—and we’ve provided them with important leadership training to mentor tomorrow’s female manufacturing leaders through an associated two-day professional development program. Are there peers or colleagues of yours who deserve recognition and whose stories can encourage others to follow their lead? Visit   www.themanufacturinginstitute.org/nominate  to submit your nomination. The nomination period will close October 4, 2019 . For any questions or more information, feel free to access the  Nominations Guide Toolkit  which contains helpful information to get started or please contact the Institute’s STEP Ahead team at  STEPahead@nam.org .
First Annual Girl Powered Gala

The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation invites you to join us at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science on December 11, 2019 at 7 PM for our first annual Girl Powered Gala, a celebration of the Girl Powered initiative. We will reflect on the achievements of the past year, recognize the impact of the Girl Powered Initiative and enjoy a memorable evening dedicated to the spirit of women excelling in STEM fields. We invite you to help us redefine the face of STEM.
 
Join Us
  • Dinner 
  • Explore the entire Perot Museum of Nature and Science
  • Meet local teams and see VEX Robotics in action (floors 3 and 2)
  • Inspirational Guest Speakers
  • Silent Auction
  • Networking

Please register at girlpowered.com/gala by 12/4. If you have any questions, please email girlpoweredgala@roboticseducation.org
The Next Generation of Insurance Talent Webinar

Friday September 27 2019, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT

Please join ACORD President and CEO Bill Pieroni as he present a study comparing the millennial and post-millennial demographics with other generations within the workforce, focusing within the insurance industry on a webinar ACORD is hosting around women in insurance with a focus on millennials and gen z.To register please click here.
Dive In Festival

Dive In  is a global movement in the insurance sector to support the development of inclusive workplace cultures. Its mission is to enable people to achieve their potential by raising awareness of the business case and promoting positive action for diversity in all its forms. Since 2015, Dive In events take place in over 60 cities across 33 countries world-wide, attracting more than 9,000 people. Dive In recognizes that the global risk industry is facing complex challenges such as climate change and cybercrime. To support Insurance companies in attracting top talent to confront these issues, Dive In promotes year-round best practice in diversity and inclusion with tools and advice that culminate in an annual three-day festival in September.  Events are hosted in insurance firms of all types and sizes, around the world. For more information about Dive In please click here and to register for the event please click here .
STATES UPDATES
New Honorary Chair for Connecticut Announced!
 
Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz has graciously accepted the role as the Million Women Mentors’ Honorary Chair for Connecticut as announced by National States Advisor Sheila Boyington. Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz’ first priority is working with Governor Lamont to grow good-paying jobs and invest in the state’s future, continuing her commitment to economic growth that made her a leading voice for Connecticut residents and small businesses. As Secretary of the State from 1999 - 2011 she helped thousands of businesses grow, registered thousands of voters, cut bureaucratic red tape, and fought to keep elections fair. As the Lt. Governor Bysiewicz currently chairs the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls, being a part of Million Women Mentors and supporting getting more girls and women into STEM careers will support this effort.   She also chairs Connecticut’s 2020 Census Complete Count Committee, the State Finance Advisory Committee, and the State Employee Campaign for Charitable Giving. She also presides over the State Senate, hosts ceremonies honoring Connecticut veterans and organizes roundtable discussions on the opioid crisis throughout the state. Welcome Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz!
2019 MWM Stand Up for STEM Awards Applications Open
 
Million Women Mentors Texas (MWM-TX)  announces the  2019 MWM Stand Up for STEM Awards  to recognize and elevate the work of incredible mentors, companies and organizations within Texas. Now is the time to identify those who deserve this distinguished honor. Self-nominations welcome.  Award applications are due Sunday, September 30 and will be announced by November 5. 
 
Awardees and nominees will be recognized during an awards recognition during the  TxGCP Women and Girls in STEM Summit  on Friday, December 6.
 
Award applications  are due September 30. Self-nominations welcome. 
 
WEBSITE UPDATES
Million Women Mentors Customization to Attract Mentors for Snap the Gap for MWM-CA
 
The MWM team is supporting and creating resources to attract mentors for the Snap the Gap program in California. Snap the Gap has begun a pilot where 10-12 year old girl participants receive a littleBits STEM Starter Pack provided by The Walt Disney Company, along with a one-year immersion in an inventor community and mentorship by an inspiring adult in STEM. UC Davis, which leads MWM-CA is helping to recruit participants and mentors and measure the program’s impact. With this launch, Snap the Gap is calling on STEM professionals to join the movement and volunteer as mentors or partners. MWM-CA engaged the MWM Technology Leaders and MWM Sponsor TATA Consulting Services to create customized location search solutions for the California program. Snap the Gap is looking to attract up to 5,000 mentors for up to 15,000 participants in the program to assist in reducing the gender gap in STEM. MWM has designed a customized page that highlights Snap the Gap mentoring locations in major cities in California by entering the appropriate zip code. You can view the search page  here . If you want to get involved or for additional information please visit  SnapTheGap.or g
ONLINE RESOURCES
MWM State of the States 2018-2019

The report provides an overview of the movement and features a page on each state involved. The state pages detail events and initiatives within that state over the past year, commitments and pledges to mentor, and plans for the coming year, and provides information on that state's leadership structure and partner organizations. It's a chance to celebrate progress, share best-practices and scalable models of success, and dive deeper into the daily workings of this vast volunteer movement. 

To download the report please click here.