Speak Out Sisterhood

This month, I've been talking about the importance of Philanthropy, as a foundation for having a successful life and career in STEM. I want to end this month by highlighting an amazing organization that I volunteered my time as a mentor for the Generation YES program of Speak Out Sisterhood which is founded and led by a current STEM student Generation YES, is an eight-week remote internship program for college women aged 18-21. They are each matched with one of their partner organizations and work in a team of other interns to investigate a key barrier to women's advancement in the workplace. The project I mentored which is mentioned below was focused on examining and finding solutions to stereotypes and stigmas women face in STEM. Congrats to all the interns and Speak Out Sisterhood Please check out their work and consider how you can pay it forward.

Meet Liana! Hear how Speak Out Sisterhood helped her build confidence and find a supportive community of women. Your support makes stories like hers possible. As Liana said... ?? “You've got this whole network of people who understand, who inspire, and who genuinely want to see you succeed, which you can't find everywhere.” This is why we need you. Your donation empowers more young women to realize their leadership potential and dive deep into the issues they care about the most. ?? Join our giving campaign today and be part of their journey! ?? Donate now: https://lnkd.in/ewtc6CSf #EmpowerWomen #GivingCampaign #WomenInLeadership #SpeakOutSisterhood

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have completed an eight-week remote internship with Speak Out Sisterhood as part of their Workplace Policies Supporting Women Internship in partnership with the Science Policy Action Network! This experience was truly transformative, as I collaborated closely with a team of inspiring fellow interns and worked under the guidance of an exceptional mentor. Together, we explored critical issues affecting women in the workplace and contributed to creating strategies aimed at driving meaningful changes in our society through heavy research, weekly meetings, literature reviews, consulting, and communicating with our partner group. Being part of this initiative has not only deepened my understanding of workplace inequities but also strengthened my commitment to advocating for women’s rights. I want to sincerely thank the Speak Out Sisterhood Team, Aynsley Szczesniak, and Dr. Richard Watkins, PhD for supporting us and providing insightful tips to strengthen our pitch. I also want to thank our amazing mentor, Jazzmine Waugh, PhD and my fellow teammates for thier hard work and encouragement. I hope to further continue the journey toward equity and empowerment!

Big news! ?? We’re kicking off our 2024 Giving Campaign! Together, we can break barriers and create opportunities for young women in STEM to thrive. ? Swipe to scan the QR code or click the link below to support our movement. Your gift fuels programs that empower the next generation of STEM leaders. ?? Our "The Gift of YES: Invest in Her Impact" campaign page: https://lnkd.in/ewtc6CSf #SpeakOutSisterhood?#WomenInSTEM?#BreakBarriers

Our team is driven by values that inspire everything we do. Together, we’re building a future where every young woman in STEM can thrive. Swipe through to see what makes Speak Out Sisterhood unique! #womensempowerment #women #leadership #teamwork

Empowered women change the world. Stay tuned for how you can join our mission. #WomenInSTEM #WomenEmpowerment #Empowerment

I am thrilled to share that earlier this month, I was accepted as the Events Manager for Speak Out Sisterhood. I am so excited to be part of an organization with such a powerful mission—empowering and inspiring young women in STEM. Through meaningful events and initiatives, we’ll work together to break down barriers and pave the way for more women to pursue and thrive in STEM careers. Looking forward to the journey ahead and to helping amplify the voices of young women who are shaping the future!?? ??

My eight-week online Gen Yes internship with Speak Out Sisterhood came to an exciting, but bittersweet, end last night with a final group presentation on prenatal and postnatal care in North Carolina! Over the course of the semester, our team held weekly meetings to discuss, gather, and analyze research on maternal health care. We identified significant disparities in the quality of care across the state, along with the many challenges women face in accessing this essential support. Our research also highlighted concerns related to declining nutrition and mental health among mothers, which prompted us to develop a comprehensive proposal. This plan outlines the use of mobile libraries to deliver crucial resources on prenatal and postnatal care, mental health support, and nutritional guidance. This internship has been incredibly eye-opening for me, offering valuable opportunities for both my personal and professional growth. It has sharpened my leadership and teamwork skills, while also allowing me to build meaningful connections with others in the field. I am deeply grateful to Speak Out Sisterhood and Aynsley Szczesniak for this opportunity and to Dr. Richard Watkins for his thoughtful feedback and engaging conversation during our pitch presentation!

So proud of my Speak Out Sisterhood mentees! Samantha, Tiana, Kairuo, Salina, and Jailah just delivered their pitch on "Workplace Policies that Support Women" to their client from the Science Policy Action Network. They worked hard and got rave reviews!

Feeling incredibly grateful to be part of the Speak Out Sisterhood internship program these past eight weeks! Each week, my amazing groupmates and I worked together toward our shared goal of supporting Association for Women in Science and empowering more women in STEM. A huge thank you to my mentor, Sania Tong Argao, for her guidance and support along the way—your encouragement has made such a difference. Here’s to inspiring the next generation of women in STEM together!