Young Women's Leadership Initiative at South Bronx Prep--Let's Get Started!

In a survey of women and under-represented minority chemists and chemical engineers, 40 percent reported that they had been subjected to discouragement at one point in their STEM education and career. For 60 percent of respondents, college was where most of that attempted dissuasion occurred and college professors were often the source. The Bayer Facts of Science Education survey, found social and economic factors at the center of the disparity, noting that like other children, women and minorities showed early interest in the sciences but it was rarely nurtured or encouraged as they matured through their teen years. (Survey: U.S. Women and Minority Scientists Often Discouraged from Pursuing STEM Careers, Arelis Hernandez , March 23, 2010)

In order to expand the opportunities for young, talented, intelligent women of color of the South Bronx, and to open up the realm of possibilities for the STEM fields, the Young Women's Leadership Institute (YWLI) was developed. The YWLI at South Bronx Preparatory High School is sponsored by the City University of New York's Black Male Initiative, a program intended to increase, encourage, and support the inclusion and educational success of under-represented groups in higher education.

During this program, the group will work to explore an assortment of educational and career options, particularly those in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Equally important, these ninth and tenth graders will explore themselves, and be encouraged to explore the college experience and open their minds to the opportunity of college life and the path towards meaningful careers.

The group meets once per week on Thursday afternoons at South Bronx Prep, and the best part is that we will share it with you, week by week, so you will have the opportunity to share in the experiences and development of the young ladies as individuals as well as a group.

We will provide the girls with opportunities to learn from guest speakers, participate in creative activities to challenge their thinking about STEM careers and college expectations, and assess their own personal goals and aspirations.

Stay tuned! And be sure to post comments so we can get your feedback...