Million Women Mentors–Kentucky Unveiled in Frankfort Wednesday
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 29, 2016) — Dr. Mary Lynne Capilouto, Professor Czarena Crofcheck and student Kate Collins, all of the University of Kentucky, participated in yesterday's launch of the Million Women Mentors initiative in Kentucky (MWM-KY). The event, hosted by Lt. Governor Jenean Hampton and the Kentucky Commission on Women, took place in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building.
Hampton serves as the honorary chair for MWM-KY, which was created to support girls and women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) by providing one million STEM mentors. Crofcheck, professor in UK's Department of Biosystmes and Agricultural Engineering, and Kathy Plomin, with the Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative, serve as co-chairs of MWM-KY.
Hampton delivered the keynote address, speaking on her own experience as a woman in STEM. The program also featured leaders from manufacturing, education, and industry speaking on the importance of mentoring girls and young women in STEM. Capilouto joined the launch event to emphasize the importance of STEM education in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Other speakers included Sandra McCain, director of technology development at Lexmark International; Danette Wilder, president and CEO of SealingLife Technology; and Kate Collins, a senior physics major at UK and student ambassador for the #IAmAWomanInSTEM inititative.
To learn more on how you can participate in Kentucky or other state efforts with Million Women Mentors, please register at the website www.MillionWomenMentors.org/ky.
About Million Women Mentors: Launched Jan. 8, 2014, MWM is the collective action of more than 65 national partners and 60 corporate sponsors (as of September 2016) designed to increase the number of girls and women within the high school to work age continuum that persist and succeed in STEM programs and careers. To date, MWM has more than 750,000 men and women serving as STEM mentors, coaches, role models, partners and sponsors. For more information on MWM, please visit www.MillionWomenMentors.org.
About STEMconnector®: STEMconnector® is a consortium of over 110 companies, associations, academic institutions and government entities concerned with STEM education and the future of human capital. STEMconnector® focuses on the STEM workforce and jobs, with a particular emphasis on diversity and women. Its work spans the entire pipeline (kindergarten to jobs) and how STEM education experiences translate into careers. For more information, visit www.STEMconnector.org.
UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue