This year for International Women’s Day (IWD) – March 8th, The Anguilla Electricity Company Limited – ANGLEC highlighted some of the company’s women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) related functions as a celebration of women and excellence in Anguilla. IWD is celebrated globally as an individual day to recognize the need for gender equality. Many organizations and companies like ANGLEC take the day as opportunity to kick off celebrations and awareness campaigns that last anywhere from 1 day to the entire month of March.
At ANGLEC, several women within the company were nominated to be featured as exemplary women working in a male dominated industry based on their contributions to functions at ANGLEC that involved technical and STEM related duties.
The following women gracefully accepted their nominations and lent their voices to the fight for gender equality under the official 2019 International Women’s Day theme “Balance for Better” (Fun fact; The 2019 #BalanceforBetter campaign runs all year long, find out more at www. Internationalwomensday.com):
Since March 8th ANGLEC has shared interviews with the featured women on their blog (www.anglec/theplug) and Facebook page (Facebook.com/AnguillaElectricity) with the hope that others would be motivated to join in the effort to raise awareness on the importance of gender equality and STEM related fields in Anguilla.
“We want to change the perception of women’s abilities and contributions to these very male-dom¬i¬nat-ed areas, which is go¬ing to take time. Cultural changes don’t happen overnight but in my experience we (women) too often shy away from fighting for that change because it can be difficult or makes us feel vulnerable but success starts with having meaningful conversations and celebrations despite the limitations or challenges we face. I am so proud of our ANGLEC ladies for sharing their stories, they’ve been getting a lot of support thus far. I encourage everyone to read and share their features, you never know, seeing these stories could change someone’s life.” – Mrs. Jemila Morson-Hodge, ANGLEC PRO.
ANGLEC’s CEO, Mr. David Gumbs added that; “In the electricity generation, transmission and distribution industry we strive to bring the best minds to the table, regardless of gender. Throughout the world, the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have remained predominantly male and while we have a similar experience within Anguilla and ANGLEC , we are proud to have attracted talented women to join our Company and serve in critical roles.
It is our hope that by spotlighting our talented women in STEM, we can inspire women and girls to pursue a STEM a related career. And if they do, we’d be honoured to have them come work with us one day.”
What is STEM all about?
The acronym STEM was coined to support the practice of educating students and the general public on the four specific disciplines — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The acronym is also a useful tool for the interdisciplinary approach with regard to teaching and using the four disciplines as an integrated and cohesive reference for better real-world applications.
Why is STEM awareness and advancement important for women and Anguilla?
STEM; Science, Technology, Engineering and Math are the building blocks of any well-functioning and progressive society. However, according to The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO 2017 report Cracking the code: Girls’ and women’s education in STEM, only 35% of STEM students in higher education globally are women with similar gender gaps observed in STEM careers.
STEM studies and professions bridge the gaps of gender and ethnicity often found in technical and innovative fields and all around the world, in Anguilla the same is evident. Globally, more programs and campaigns are being created to increase the roles of women and minorities in STEM-related fields and by joining in the movement Anguilla stands to benefit significantly. However, the need for more women in STEM fields in Anguilla extends far beyond the general call for diversification. Having a balanced workforce, specifically with consideration to innovative fields like STEM are vital to a healthy economy, comprehensive development, safety and security for all.
Further, in order to compete on the global market, STEM education and careers must be a national priority. STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and empowers the next generation of innovators, all of which are critical to sustained growth and will help Anguilla compete internationally.
Not addressing STEM as a priority for women could have grave consequences for Anguilla’s workforce development and socioeconomic success. For these reasons ANGLEC is committed to raise awareness and hope others will do the same.
How to join in the advancement of gender balance in STEM?
Parents and teachers do not carry the whole burden of STEM education. Other caregivers, professionals, organizations and companies must encourage our youth and tell their stories to increase awareness and interest. In each of the ANGLEC STEM features shared on Facebook, the women were asked to share their thoughts how parents, teachers and guardians could aid in STEM development. Some suggestions included:
? Keep a close eye on children to see where the passion is (sometimes kids aren’t even aware that they are good at certain things or have a true passion for something) – Larricia Lacorbiniere
? Get employers to empower and partner with universities and colleges to set up STEM scholarships. – Catherine Emmanuel
Extracurricular activities and enrichment programs outside of school can also help children to see the importance, fulfillment and merits of STEM also.
Mrs. Shana Delany, Primary School Math Curriculum Officer shares her thoughts on the importance of creating avenues for STEM enjoyment outside of the classroom;
“In my experience as both a primary school teacher and a secondary school teacher, I have had the unique perspective from which to observe our students’ progression in mathematics at the beginning of their educational journey and at the end. Unfortunately, observations have revealed a strong disdain for mathematics from many of our youth as well as our community. Because of this, I found it necessary to promote mathematics in a more positive light hence, the Primary Numeracy League Championship.”
Mrs. Delany recently organized the first annual Primary Numeracy League Championship, a highly anticipated and well attended math competition for primary school students held on March 7th, 2019. Her vision is for the competition to become an annual event that branches out to the Secondary school level in the near future; a vision that ANGLEC fully supports. At the event, ANGLEC donated Bill Credits for audience prizes as part of their commitment to encouraging the celebration of STEM in Anguilla.
“I was very pleased that ANGLEC was so willing to extend support in this event.” Delany stated. “Support from companies like ANGLEC shows that our business community not only notices the importance and relevance of mathematics but also that they are willing to assist in the promotion of mathematics.”
When asked “As a woman working in STEM and with youth, how do you think positive representation of women in STEM fields would affect girls in Anguilla?”
She replied; “I believe that a positive representation of women in STEM fields would create a sense of hope and optimism for girls in Anguilla.”
She added that “When I studied at the University of Kent, I was the only black female to graduate in 2014 with a BSc in Mathematics. I believe women in STEM need more celebration and recognition. This lets our young girls know that working in a STEM field is not something to be considered abnormal but is something to be celebrated island-wide.
We must encourage our young girls and women to be confident and fearless; to take active roles in any opportunities that promote STEM; and to celebrate and recognize the women working in STEM. More often than not, the women working in STEM are hiding in plain sight. We should bring awareness to the community, especially our youth, of women with STEM careers right here in Anguilla, in an effort to broaden their pool of potential role models.”
Having community support in activities like the Numeracy Championship help to show the real-life application of STEM studies, teaching children in a fun environment how their contributions in STEM can benefit their individual lives, their country and the world at large.
– Press Release
