Skip to Content Accessibility Information

Million Women Mentors-Maryland Calls for 10,000 Mentors for Women in STEM by End of Year

Nov. 6 Summit Kicks Off Effort

BALTIMORE (Oct. 20, 2017) – Million Women Mentors-Maryland (MWM·MD) is addressing the underrepresentation of women in the STEM fields by building an expansive network of mentors throughout the state. Since its founding in 2017, the organization has worked to identify individual and corporate partners whose experience and knowledge positively influence young female students to pursue and persist in STEM careers. This year, MWM·MD has already surpassed its goal of 5,000 mentors, and is now pledging to secure 10,000 mentors by the end of 2017. To kick off this effort, MWM·MD is inviting individual mentors and corporate sponsors who want to learn more about mentoring to its Nov. 6 summit in Baltimore.

"I am a firm believer in the power of partnership," said Kelly M. Schulz, Maryland labor secretary and ex officio member of the Million Women Mentors-Maryland steering committee. "The experience and knowledge of a mentor can ignite a student’s passion for science and technology, while the personal support of the mentoring relationship encourages the ongoing pursuit of STEM subjects and growth in STEM careers."

Women make up 50 percent of the workforce, but only 24 percent of the STEM workforce. Of these, 50 percent will leave the STEM workforce within 10 years. With a documented interest in STEM at an early age, Million Women Mentors believes adult women do not pursue and persist in STEM degrees and STEM careers from lack of encouragement.

Through mentorship, MWM·MD is raising awareness about STEM among grade school girls. Their network of private and public sector organizations across Maryland is committed to building a sustainable mentoring ecosystem that motivates girls and young women to pursue and persist in STEM careers. This is a targeted approach that continually supports mentees as they build their skills and enter the workforce.

"Mentoring creates an influential dynamic," said Schulz. "Through mentorship, we will empower our young women to take an active interest in STEM. Through mentorship, we can reverse the statistics and grow female participation in STEM fields… but we need YOU to help make that happen."

How to Get Involved

Million Women Mentors-Maryland is seeking male and female individual mentors and corporate partners who want to make a difference in the lives of Maryland’s young women. Join MWM·MD on Nov. 6 in Baltimore for the First Annual Maryland Women in STEM Summit. You’ll learn

  • why STEM skills are THE critical skills for our future,
  • why women with STEM skills are crucial for Maryland,
  • why mentorship matters, and
  • how to get involved with mentorship.

This exciting event combines networking, education, and inspiration. Help reverse the trend. Together, we can help our state’s young female students grow and flourish in STEM.

Sign up for the summit.

About Million Women Mentors-Maryland

Million Women Mentors-Maryland (MWM·MD) is the Maryland chapter of the national organization Million Women Mentors. MWM·MD has pledged 10,000 mentors by the end of 2017.

MWM's goals are:

  1. Increase the percentage of girls planning to pursue STEM careers.
  2. Increase the percentage of women pursuing undergraduate STEM degrees.
  3. Increase the percentage of women staying/advancing in STEM careers by supporting workforce mentoring programs.

About the Maryland Department of Labor
The Maryland Department of Labor is committed to safeguarding and protecting Marylanders. We're proud to support the economic stability of the state by providing businesses, the workforce, and the consuming public with high-quality, customer-focused regulatory, employment, and training services. For updates and information, follow the Maryland Department of Labor on Twitter (@MD_Labor), Facebook and visit our website.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Theresa Blaner
Director, Communications and Media Relations
410-230-6241 (office)
443-721-8637 (cell)