Women, rally and represent

It’s been a topic preached before and I will continue to preach it. We really need more female representatives in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. It’s time, women. Let’s show the world what we are capable of. Do it and own it!

A 2017 report from the U.S. Department of Commerce states that women hold only about 30 percent of all STEM degrees. The numbers dip even lower in engineering degrees.

Some might disagree with my encouragement; some might support it. There are some men nowadays who consider themselves feminists. You know what? You go, girl. You go, boy. Whatever you’d like to consider yourself. It doesn’t matter because we’re all fighting for the same cause. If we could all get on the same page, it would be a good thing.

Women being treated as equals has been a hot debate even before the days of the Civil War. We’ve progressed so much and have made many changes, but we still need to be treated with respect in academics.

I’ve been in math classes where it was slightly hinted that women are not as good as men in mathematics. Who in their right mind even thinks like that nowadays? Well, believe me, people like that still exist.

It’s up to us to help change that mentality. I don’t mean free the nipple or liberate yourself. I mean pick up a book or a newspaper, contact representatives, counsel others, be brave. Be independent and be strong. But most important, do it for yourself.

I’m sure that statement will either anger some or excite others. To this day, I don’t know why the idea of women being treated as equals in fields such as the workplace or academia is still controversial.

No, I don’t belong in the kitchen. I belong in a place where I am respected for my skills and thoughts, and that doesn’t mean I’m not good at cooking: It means that I have goals and a thirst for knowledge.

Women, we have to march on and make our voices be heard in the STEM community. If you have an idea, don’t be afraid of it. Don’t be afraid of being ridiculed or facing obstacles. Believe me, there will be obstacles, but it’s up to us to face them head-on.

Educate yourself, deepen your understandings and broaden your horizons.

Let’s make our numbers in engineering or math classes match those of men.

Let’s continue the work of our previous generations’ leaders, make progress and change for the betterment of ourselves and society as a whole.

We’re not inferior or superior. We are equals and deserve to be treated as such.

We are the examples and role models that will be looked at in years to come. We are strong women with ideas and wit to match. Own it, run it, accomplish it.

We are women.