Women in STEM: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders

While women comprise half of the American workforce, only 26% of STEM employees are women. Gender stereotypes have often discouraged young women from pursuing STEM careers, and studies suggest that those who do encounter professional bias and discrimination, fewer leadership opportunities, and lower pay compared to men in similar positions. Additionally, imbalanced work-life pressures and a lack of visible role models can make it challenging for women to remain in STEM professions. 

In honor of Women’s History Month and the women who have made a significant impact in the world of STEM, we spotlight four women who overcame barriers to make remarkable contributions to their chosen fields. We recognize their strength and resolve while acknowledging the continued needed work to ensure gender equality in both STEM and society. 

Elizabeth Blackwell 

Elizabeth Blackwell made history in 1849 as the first woman in the U.S. to graduate from medical school. She was inspired in part to pursue medicine after a dying friend under medical care expressed regret at not having a female doctor. After studying medicine privately with physicians, Blackwell was admitted to Geneva Medical College in New York where she graduated at the top of her class despite enduring harassment from her male peers. Throughout her life, Blackwell studied medicine and in consultation with Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing, co-founded the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children, the first U.S. hospital for women and run by women. A passionate advocate for women in medicine, she later helped establish the London School of Medicine for Women, paving the way for future generations of female doctors. 

Lise Meitner 

Physicist Lise Meitner contributed work that was central to the discovery of nuclear fission. Born in Austria, she studied physics at a time when women were largely excluded from scientific research. She collaborated closely with Otto Hahn, a pioneer in radiochemistry. Their research contributed to the discovery of nuclear fission, but Meitner would not receive recognition until decades later, well after Hahn received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this research in 1944. Meitner, who was Jewish, fled Nazi-occupied Austria in 1938 and continued her studies in Sweden. Though she refused to participate in nuclear weapons development, she contributed crucial insights into the fundamental understanding of atomic energy. She eventually received recognition for her contributions to this field, including the naming of element 109, Meitnerium, in her honor. 

Emily Warren Roebling 

Emily Warren Roebling played a crucial role in the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge, one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 19th century. When her husband, Washington Roebling, became incapacitated due to illness, Emily stepped in as his primary assistant, managing construction, supervising workers, and liaising with city officials. Although she had no formal engineering training, she quickly mastered the technical skills needed to ensure the bridge’s successful completion in 1883. At a time when women were rarely seen in engineering roles, she became an advocate for women’s education and leadership in technical fields. 

Joan Clarke 

Joan Clarke was a brilliant cryptanalyst whose work at England’s Bletchley Park during World War II helped break the Nazi Enigma machine cypher, a critical factor in the Allied victory. Despite her mathematical talent and Cambridge education, she was initially given a purely clerical role, which was typical for women working at Bletchley. Her demonstrated skills eventually brought her a promotion to work alongside the more-recognized Alan Turing, who is often considered the father of theoretical computer science. Clarke and Turing worked as part of a select team of scientists who built early computing devices to decode German military communications. After the war, Clarke continued her work in cryptography and numismatics, though despite being awarded an MBE, her impact remained largely unrecognized for decades. Today, she is celebrated as a pioneering female figure in both mathematics and codebreaking, demonstrating the critical yet often overlooked role women have played in STEM and military intelligence. 

Promoting STEM Equity 

The groundbreaking achievements of these women and others have paved the way for generations. Though progress has been made, women continue to face obstacles due to discrimination in the workplace. Initiatives aimed at breaking down barriers and increasing female engagement in STEM fields are key to creating a more equitable environment for all. Examples include: 

• Education and Outreach Programs: Organizations like Girls Who Code and Million Women Mentors provide technical education and mentorship to young girls to close the gender gap in technology. 

• Scholarships and Fellowships: Groups such as the American Association of University Women (AAUW) offer financial support for women pursuing advanced degrees in STEM. 

• Corporate and Workplace Inclusion Initiatives: Many tech and engineering companies now provide programs and leadership training to support career advancement for women. Policies promoting parental leave, flexible work schedules, and equal pay help create a more inclusive and female-empowering workplace. 

Women in STEM at Capitol Tech 

At Capitol Technology University, our mission is to provide quality education in STEM and business fields through relevant learning experiences that lead to success in the evolving global community. We value diversity in all its forms and strive to support professionals who will create and strengthen inclusive environments. 

Our Center for Women in Cyber (CWC) empowers and supports women pursuing careers in cybersecurity through mentorship, education, and professional development. By fostering an inclusive community and providing hands-on training, the CWC seeks to bridge the gender gap in cyber fields and prepare future leaders for success in this high-demand industry. 

To learn more, contact our Admissions team or request more information. 

Edited by Erica Decker