Women make up approximately half of the population, but less than a third of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians in the U.S. are women. With chronic underrepresentation in STEM fields at all levels of the professional pipeline and educational system, female professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics face unique challenges. From combating deeply-engrained stereotypes to the push for paid parental leave to salary disparities and more, we have a long way to go to guarantee that everyone can discover, nurture, and execute on plans for professional success in STEM careers.

Sources:

AAUW - The STEM Gap: Women and Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

National Archives - Morrill Act 1862

Rising Above the Gathering Storm, Revisited: Rapidly Approaching Category 5 By Members of the 2005 "Rising Above the Gathering Storm" Committee; Prepared for the Presidents of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine

Brittanica.com - STEM education curriculum

MIT Management Sloan School -  In boardrooms and in STEM, women talk about where they see more representation by Meredith Somers

Inside Higher ED - Broken Link Between Pay and Productivity for Women in STEM by Colleen Flaherty

Catalyst.org - Women on Corporate Boards (Quick Take)

TeacherATI - Gender diversity: women in the data centre talent pipeline by Nicole Cappella

UNICEF - Mapping gender equality in STEM from school to work

Maryville University - Women in STEM: A Guide to Bridging the Gender Gap

National Girls Collaborative Project - Current State of STEM

The Atlantic - The More Gender Equality, the Fewer Women in STEM By Olga Khazan

Smithsonian - Girls and Women in STEM

informED - 10 Programs Closing the Gender Gap in STEM By Jennifer Lachs

Society of STEM Women of Color