Shining a Light on Gender Equity in STEM

Picture a Scientist Film Screening and STEMinism Panl

Blustery winds and ominous clouds could not keep a small group from gathering on the lawn of the Main Campus Student Center to watch the film, Picture a Scientist, and listen to the experiences of ECU women. The film chronicles the journey of three women scientists, shining the light on what it is like to be a woman in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). People often visualize scientists as old white guys with glasses and crazy hair.  There have been endeavors to change this stereotypical view – such as #ILookLikeAnEngineer started in 2015 by Isis Wenger, an engineer.

The screening and panel were co-sponsored by THRIVE@ECU and the Women and Gender Office. The goals of the event were to 1) shine a light on gender inequity — you can not change what you can not see or acknowledge; 2) start conversations, even though they may be difficult; and 3) choose to challenge.  #ChooseToChallenge was the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day celebration.

“A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. From challenge comes change, so let’s all choose to challenge.” – International Women’s Day

The film primarily features three women. Dr. Jane Willenbring, a geomorphologist and associate professor of geological sciences at Stanford University, suffered emotional abuse from her Ph.D mentor which ultimately resulted in a Title IX complaint almost 20 years after the fact.  Dr. Raychelle Burks, a professor of analytical chemistry at American University, suffered subtle slights due to gender and race and felt like she couldn’t be her authentic self.  And Dr. Nancy Hopkins, a molecular biologist and professor of biology emerita at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, spent a good portion of her career gathering data and fighting for gender equity.

Dr. Ariane Peralta, Associate Professor of Biology. (ECU Photo by Cliff Hollis)

For many women in STEM, the film is not surprising; it is a confirmation that their experiences are not isolated.  This was echoed by our STEMinism Panel featuring the following ECU faculty: Dr. Meghan Millea, Professor of Economics in the Harriot College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Ariane Peralta, Associate Professor of Biology in the Harriot College of Arts and Sciences; and Dr. Karlene Cunningham, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in the Brody School of Medicine.