Letter to My Young Self

To celebrate Women’s History Month, Science Club for Girls invites women in science, engineering, technology and mathematics to participate in the “Letter to my Young Self” project by submitting a blog post (limit of 800 words), short bio (+link) and photo (preferably of a younger self) by 3/12 to media@scienceclubforgirls.org.

Women who share a love of science, engineering and technology, who are in different stages of their careers, share with their “young selves” words of encouragement, glimpses into the future and wisdom that can only be gleaned from hindsight. These letters resonate with young girls as well as anyone else on a journey.

Why this project?

There are several goals for this project:

to change the image of scientists, challenging preconceived notions that scientists are one dimensional
to provide relate-able role models for girls taking advantage of opportunities in science
to encourage girls who are not involved in science to consider it as a career path
to increase awareness about the many career paths available to women trained in science. (the biographies of the contributors demonstrate the wide spectrum of potential career paths)
to recognize women who are currently making contributions in science

Inspiration for “Letters to My Young Self” Project

Letter to...

The idea of this series is not entirely original. Stephen Fry’s poignant letter to his 16-year-old self, Ellen Spragyn’s “If I’d Known Then”, and Isis the Scientist‘s “Letter to Our Daughters” Project, where women scientists write to aspiring ones are inspiration for “Letter to My Young Self”.

In addition to this literature, the movement to “humanize” scientists is being beautifully and skillfully implemented by PBS (Secret Lives of Scientists), and Science House.

With all of the athletes and entertainers that have celebrity status it is unfortunate that the public does not recognize influential scientists and engineers, especially women. See this video intro on Women in Science by talkingscience.

Science Club for Girls are grateful to these women for taking the time to share of themselves. We hope their letters will generate more interest in women and careers in science, engineering, technology and mathematics.

Click below to learn about the 2011 contributors and read their letters.