Reflecting on International Women’s Day 2019 #TalkIWD
In this short review, Georgi Makin reflects on #TalkIWD – a Future Science Group Twitter chat hosted on Friday 8 March to commemorate International Women’s Day 2019.
The statistic I’ve heard is that men will apply for a job even if they only have 60% of the qualifications, but women will only apply if they have 100%. We must stop being so timid and fight for our place at the table. #TalkIWD #IWD2019
– Amy Alexander (@AmyAlexanderMC) 8 March 2019
March 8 marks International Women’s Day, an annual day calling for a more gender-balanced world.
This year, Future Science Group aimed to promote conversation around gender equality in STEM with our #TalkIWD Twitter Chat. Joined by a fantastic panel of scientists from all stages of their careers, the chat enabled positive conversation about how we may be able to achieve gender balance in STEM (#BalanceforBetter).
3DMedNet was proud to host Amy Alexander (Mayo Clinic; MN, USA) as our panelist. Amy is a Senior Biomedical Engineer in the Mayo Clinic Department of Radiology’s Anatomic Modeling Lab in Rochester.
>> Find out more about Amy Alexander
Here, I review some of my highlights from Friday’s Twitter chat. To see other panelists’ answers, click on the tweets or search #TalkIWD — I highly recommend you do!
Let’s get going! First up Q1 — could you introduce yourself? #TalkIWD #BalanceforBetter #IWD2019
– Future Science Group (@futuresciencegp) 8 March 2019
A1: Senior Biomedical Engineer at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, US. Anatomic modeling for patient-specific surgical planning and surgical cutting guide design are my two major roles. BSBME and MSEM from @MSOE #TalkIWD #BalanceforBetter @IWD2019 https://t.co/Oth23OCqB3
– Amy Alexander (@AmyAlexanderMC) 8 March 2019
Thank you for being here! What are the biggest challenges you have faced in your STEM career? #TalkIWD #BalanceforBetter #IWD2019
– Future Science Group (@futuresciencegp) 8 March 2019
A2: Biggest challenge is building confidence in the field and accepting that perfection is the enemy of good. My mentor, @JaneMatsumotoMD, has a wonderful phrase: you cannot boil the ocean; you must take it one cup at a time. #TalkIWD #BalanceforBetter #IWD2019 https://t.co/yyEfHyPEpB
– Amy Alexander (@AmyAlexanderMC) 8 March 2019
Again, great answers! Following this, Q5. How can schools, organizations and companies work together to encourage women to enter STEM? #TalkIWD #BalanceforBetter #IWD2019
– Future Science Group (@futuresciencegp) 8 March 2019
A5 (1/3): A male scientist is called a Scientist. A female scientist is often called a Female Scientist. No need for the extra adjective — women scientists are also simply Scientists. #TalkIWD #BalanceforBetter #IWD2019 https://t.co/h1qEmluWmj
– Amy Alexander (@AmyAlexanderMC) 8 March 2019
A5 (2/3): Being a woman should not be viewed as a handicap in the STEM world. It is an advantage. #TalkIWD #BalanceforBetter #IWD2019 https://t.co/h1qEmluWmj
– Amy Alexander (@AmyAlexanderMC) 8 March 2019
A5 (3/3): If we want the young women of our time to realize that they can become surgeons, we need to stop excluding the gender from the literature. #TalkIWD #BalanceforBetter #IWD2019 https://t.co/h1qEmluWmj
– Amy Alexander (@AmyAlexanderMC) 8 March 2019
Great answers! Q6. Are there any programs or organizations you would recommend young women pursuing STEM careers to look into? #TalkIWD #BalanceforBetter #IWD2019
– Future Science Group (@futuresciencegp) 8 March 2019
Q6 (1/2): In Minnesota specifically, there are two: Million Women Mentors’ Women in STEM panel discussions and the National Center for Women and Information Technology #TalkIWD #BalanceforBetter #IWD2019 https://t.co/eTumBNEuxA
– Amy Alexander (@AmyAlexanderMC) 8 March 2019
Q6 (2/2): My advice to young women is to reach out via Twitter or LinkedIn to someone whose job you find interesting. We are so willing to start a discussion and help you on your path! #TalkIWD #BalanceforBetter #IWD2019 https://t.co/eTumBNEuxA
– Amy Alexander (@AmyAlexanderMC) 8 March 2019
Next up is Q9. With regards to gender equality, have there been any changes within the #STEM professions over the years and what could be better? #TalkIWD #BalanceforBetter #IWD2019
– Future Science Group (@futuresciencegp) 8 March 2019
A9 (1/3): I do feel that some attitudes are improving, and that women have more male allies in the workplace. That said, there is still a lot of sexism. #TalkIWD #BalanceforBetter #IWD2019 https://t.co/GDB6yfiyOG
– Amy Alexander (@AmyAlexanderMC) 8 March 2019
A9 (2/3): Women are often accused of anything but intelligence and hard work for their success. We need to remind people that we are just that good. No favors or bribes. #TalkIWD #BalanceforBetter #IWD2019 https://t.co/GDB6yfiyOG
– Amy Alexander (@AmyAlexanderMC) 8 March 2019
A9 (3/3): We need to continue to express to these haters that it’s not OK to tarnish our reputations in that way. End of story. #TalkIWD #BalanceforBetter #IWD2019 https://t.co/GDB6yfiyOG
– Amy Alexander (@AmyAlexanderMC) 8 March 2019
Next question is Q10. With inherent & implicit bias looking favorably upon women, rather than men, to mentor women, why should more men mentor #WomenInSTEM? #TalkIWD #BalanceforBetter #IWD2019
– Future Science Group (@futuresciencegp) 8 March 2019
A10: Keep going! You are strong and smart. Use your resources and ask for help. Keep pushing for little victories! #TalkIWD #BalanceforBetter #IWD2019 #HappyInternationalWomensDay2019 @sarahfl44587100 @Wake_Imaging @MGeritano @MfgGeek @IreneHealey @JaneMatsumotoMD https://t.co/3ywM49Vvco
– Amy Alexander (@AmyAlexanderMC) 8 March 2019
