In an act to commemorate International Women’s Day (March 8), Microsoft is being interactive with girls and encouraging them to “make the next big thing.” The social media hashtag, #MakeWhatsNext will be used to help and inspire these girls with engagement to female inventors prior to them. For those unaware, STEM is a type of curriculum, based on the notion of educating students in four specified areas that include science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an “interdisciplinary and applied approach.” By Microsoft ensuring the public of their stance on the importance of uplfting and motivating girls as much as boys to pursue careers in these facets, it opens a vast number of possibilities for them in the future, they probably never thought existed otherwise. International Women’s Day, (March 8), is not only celebrated to remember female heroines, but shows how equally important it is to invigorate young women to simply let them know that they can accomplish anything, and in fact will be a part of the upcoming generation of inventors, CEOs, and several other demanding careers.
A video was disclosed on Monday via Microsoft’s social platforms in addition to their website, in which young girls name famous inventors such as Albert Einstein, Tesla, and Thomas Edison. When they were asked if they were able to name any female inventors, the girls were perplexed. Later on the video reveals renowned female inventors like “Martha Coston, inventor of signal flares; Mary Anderson, inventor of windshield wipers; Sarah Mather, inventor of the underwater telescope.”
It is imperative that we collectively raise our young girls as we would our boys. No longer do we have to stifle their potential nor are we forced to ignore their capabilities.
My mother, born in Guyana immigrated to this country when she was 18, with nothing more than a suitcases full of clothes, some cash, and an education. She was in search of a better life. Absent from the American culture, she persisted in her belief that she could accomplish her long list of goals one day. Today, she is a Chemical Engineer for Esteé Lauder and a licensed realtor for Exit Realty with an MBA degree. My mother is an example of one of many young women who were able to overcome the barriers presented to her at a time when breaking barriers was frowned upon. Like my mother who broke the glass ceiling to pursue a profession in STEM, millions of young girls have equal if not more potential to succeed. All it takes is motivation and someone to show young girls the possibilities for them are endless. Microsoft has taken initiative on such an indispensable issue that affects many young girls across the country and internationally. This opportunity gives many girls the chance to express their talents and knowledge in a free environment.
