Advocating for Girls and Women in STEM - Part III

Hello my sisters and brothers in Christ!

I pray you and yours are doing well. I am doing wonderful, thanks to my Father in Heaven! In previous posts, I have talked about my passion for girls and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. In this post, I plan to share my story of why I chose this platform and my personal experiences as a woman in STEM and mining. When I was younger, I aspired to be a lawyer because I liked to debate and have an inquisitive mind. However, in 9th grade I took a technology course and my teacher discovered my technical skills and encouraged my passion for engineering and science. He is one of the mentors in my life that nurtured my passion for STEM in my youth years; he encouraged me to pursue a degree in engineering when I go to college. But I will say, prior to having this mentor, the image I always had of an engineer was a man. I recall being an 8-year-old girl in Nigeria sitting in a classroom and one of my classmates made the statement that when she grows up she'll be an engineer; I was stunned by that and thought of it to be a ridiculous ambition, because only men are engineers and only boys can have that dream. I praise God having a mentor such as my 9th grade technology teacher who noticed my talent and encouraged me to be unconventional; he got me involved with the robotics club in my high school, which blessed me with another mentor, as well as teaching me during my lunch time at school how to use the tools and machines in his workshop. .

Miss World America 2016 National Finalist - Ruby B. Johnson

As I recently announced, I am a national finalist for Miss World America 2016 (#MWA2016) and will be competing for the title next month at the National Harbor in Maryland. My Beauty with a Purpose project is "Mentor Leadership: Importance of Mentoring Our Youth." My goals with this BWAP project include: (1) encourage today's youth to reach their full potential and live a purposeful life; (2) inspire the youth to make wise decisions in school, family, and friendships; (3) ignite or increase the interest of girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields; (4) and encourage the youth to grow into the women and men of character and integrity that God created them to be.

Almost two years ago, I came across a very interesting article of an interview with a South African woman who is a practicing mining engineer. In the article, one of the statements made by Wilhemina Manaso (Mine Manager at BHP Billiton South Africa) that stuck to me was "There are a lot of barriers caused by my gender; as a woman, if you’re doing well in a male-dominated industry they think you're having an affair with one of the senior managers. Every time I was promoted, they would say, 'how come you promoted her? Is she having a relationship with you?'" Besides being promoted as Ms. Manaso mentions, there are times whereby people think a woman is hired because of her sex and/or skin color, and disregard their intellect and credibility. This happens, but do not let it break you (my dear girls/women). Keep striving for excellence. Experiences such as Ms. Manaso's are why we need mentors like Ms. Manaso who would encourage and guide young mining women. Although I was not inspired by any woman mining engineering, I have made efforts to learn about those who have been in the industry. I have worked in operations, engineering, and consulting sides in the mining industry, but my ultimate goal in the next 15 years or less is to be the CEO of a mining company. Someone that I have gotten to know of that motivates me to pursue this goal is Mrs. Daphne Mashile-Nkosi from South Africa; I have not had the opportunity to meet her in-person yet, but when I read what this woman has done and listen to her speak: I see myself in her. I always speak fondly of her and if you are not familiar with her, read this article and get to know.

Underground salt mine

So what can we (as a community) do to ignite or increase the interest of girls/women in STEM?

• Encourage girls, just as much as we encourage boys, to excel in STEM courses in middle and high schools, and acquire STEM degrees/certificates in college or vocational schools.
• We need STEM role models, and those women must be mentors to girls and young women that aspire to be in their respective fields. We must lift as we climb.
• Parents/guardians should buy a variety of toys for their daughters besides a barbie doll; toys that make them nurture their creative and technical skills.

Coal Prep Plant

My dream is that I can influence as many girls and women out there to aspire for STEM degrees and jobs, even if I never get to meet or know them. Every little girl and boy aspires to be like someone in their family or on TV they want to be like when they grow up, and I hope there is a girl or boy out there that would entertain the thought and work towards being in a STEM field because of me, if she doesn't have that person in her life. Being a woman in STEM is not always an easy journey, but it's not always difficult either. Being a woman in STEM is possible, it can be done, and has been done. My dear girls and women of the world, keep reaching for excellence and nothing less! Reach your full potential and live a purposeful life. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:19-20.

God bless you.

Jesus loves you.

Restored woman living for God's Glory,
Ruby B. Johnson.

Have you given your heart to God? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal savior? If you die today, will you make it to Heaven? If no or you are unsure, do not waste any more time and receive salvation now.