Women in STEM

I found out today that February 11, which is also my birthday, is International Day of Women and Girls in Science. So I completely missed that, and International Women's Day on 8 MARCH, for the past few years of my existence, so I'm going to celebrate TODAY, on International PI Day. How appropriate.

I am a STEM Woman. I have an undergrad degree in Computer Science, and a graduate degree in Information Security. I also obtained and maintained my CISSP since 2007.

I worked three jobs over two summers (summers of 87 and 88) to save enough money for me to go to Space Academy in March of 88 and 89. The second year I went, I received the Right Stuff Award.

I was in the United States Navy (1994-2004) and was in charge of maintaining, repairing, and deploying multi-million dollar radar and satellite communications suites. I deployed all over the world and have seen some amazing things. I have worked in the past for the DOD ensuring our nation's most classified networks are secure and functional.

Today I work for NOAA, where our nation receives and shares satellite information on weather, animals, ocean, and climate data. I have just moved on from working with our nation's satellite search and rescue system in to IT Security for all of NOAA's satellite ground systems. I even got to meet a childhood hero astronaut, Kathy Sullivan, when she was one of NOAA's Administrators, and I had her sign my Right Stuff Award.

I am also a Nerd, like my mother before me. (see what I did there.....)

Ladies of all ages, it is an awesome thing to enjoy and love Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. There is a huge world out there that revolves around STEM, and this huge world needs YOU to be a part of it too.

Young ladies I encourage you to see if there are any type of sciencey stuff that piques your interest, and then run with it. YOU can do anything you put your heart and mind in to.

For more info on Women in Science, here are some readings for you: 

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/international-day-of-women-and-girls-in-science

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Activity/7213/13-Women-in-STEM-Who-Changed-the-World

https://www.aauw.org/research/why-so-few/