STEM the tide: Gender equality in the U.S. workforce

Each year during National Women’s History Month, Girls Inc. of Columbus celebrates the many accomplishments and contributions of women in our society. Girls learn about the remarkable strides women have made over the past century: from securing the right to vote in 1920 to taking their place as powerful community, corporate and government leaders today.

But the playing field remains far from level, and many women still face obstacles to equality — particularly in the workforce.

Today, women constitute half of the American workforce. Yet they are top executives at just 4 percent of Fortune 500 companies and make up only 17 percent of U.S. corporate boards. Nationally, women who hold full-time, year-round jobs are paid, on average, just 77 cents for every dollar paid to men. African American women are paid 64 cents and Latinas are paid just 55 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. In Georgia, women who work full time are paid 82 percent of what men are paid, which translates to an average gap of just over $8,400 a year.

In part, these pay gaps reflect the choices women and men make, especially the choice of college major and the type of job pursued after graduation. Research suggests that these choices can be rooted early in a child’s life. A 2011 research study by the University of Washington showed that girls’ and boys’ attitudes about math begin to diverge as early as second grade, with boys associating math with their own gender while girls associate math with boys. So what?

Currently, jobs in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields are growing faster than any other U.S. sector. Women in STEM jobs earn 33 percent more than those in non-STEM occupations, with a smaller wage gap relative to men. Yet women hold less than 25 percent of STEM jobs. This has been the case throughout the past decade, even as college-educated women have increased their share of the overall workforce.

Girls Inc. of Columbus is working to change this story. Through collaborative partnerships with Columbus-based Fortune 500 companies Aflac and TSYS, girls are mentored by women in non-traditional jobs and participate in challenging programs such as website design and robotics.

The Girls Inc. middle school robotics team recently competed in the 2015 FIRST LEGO League Challenge at Columbus State. At the qualifying tournament, the team won the Gracious Professionalism Award in Core Values and the Champion’s Award 2nd Place Overall. At the Super Regional tournament, they earned the Core Values Inspiration Award. More importantly, these poised and talented young women illustrated the true impact of the Girls Inc. experience.

Girls Inc. empowers girls to dream beyond limiting gender stereotypes in a positive, girls-only environment. Girls gain confidence in their abilities as they build academic and leadership skills for success in the 21st century. They become Strong, Smart and Bold.

As we celebrate the lives and achievements of the countless women who have helped make our country great, empower the girls in your life. Provide them with positive mentoring relationships and hands-on experiences. Help them build the confidence to make their dreams a reality. Equality in the workforce is essential not only for women, but also for an innovative, educated and successful society.

This story was originally published March 25, 2016 at 2:12 PM with the headline "STEM the tide: Gender equality in the U.S. workforce."