The STEM is FEM Girls Attended the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine

To commemorate International Women’s Day, the STEM is FEM Project participants were invited for a meeting with the U.S. Embassy representatives in Ukraine.

All the invited women hold very different positions in the Embassy, but they all have something in common – and that is STEM-experience. For instance, Heather Bell, U.S. Department of Energy Director, got her first education in nuclear energy. Megan Bouldin, Counselor for Economic Affairs, was engaged in corn selection at school, and while studying at college, she taught environmental science. Emily Librook, Policy Department Diplomat, has a degree in biotechnology.

The girls got an opportunity to ask the diplomats questions. The most popular ones were about their technical education, gender bias in science and diplomacy, and major differences between living in Ukraine and in the United States. To sum up, all the speeches of the diplomats were intended to motivate the girls not to be afraid of any obstacles on their ways, to follow their dream and to set a good example for the next generations of Ukrainian women.

“When I come to various events, people often take me for someone's assistant just because I'm a relatively young-looking woman. But I'm happy that I can prove to them that I'm a professional and it doesn't depend on my gender or age. I am very happy I have been able to put my STEM educational and work background into my current policy role. I have been interested in biological sciences since childhood, and this interest has enabled me to accomplish many important things in my life.   I advise you to do what you are interested in, obstacles a challenge that you can overcome, and pursue what you are interested in all throughout life both in school and in career," Megan Bouldin, Economic Counselor, U.S. Embassy Kyiv, said.

STEM is FEM is extremely grateful to the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine for this incredible experience and is looking forward to future meetings.