Scientists, Engineers Call for More Women in Math, Science

By Jan Erickson, Government Relations Director

May 13, 2005

More than 6,000 women scientists, engineers, educators and other professionals urged Congress on Wednesday to remove barriers to women and girls who want to enter the fields of math, engineering, information technology, physics and other "hard sciences." The call came in a letter asking for an investigation and corrective legislation and received at a May 11 public event by Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and George Allen, R-Va., as former chairs of the Senate Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space. Sen. Allen has noted that the U.S. is lagging far behind other countries in graduating engineers, placing this country at a competitive disadvantage.

"Full enforcement of Title IX, requiring equal education for girls and women, is the key to breaking down these barriers," said NOW president Kim Gandy, "yet the Bush administration seems determined to weaken, not strengthen, that important law."

Dr. Donna J. Nelson of the University of Oklahoma and the Diversity in Science Association and NOW's 2004 Woman of Courage awardee helped organize and spoke at the event. Dr. Nelson's study, entitled "A National Analysis of Diversity in Science and Engineering Faculty at Research Universities," reported on the lack of women and people of color in higher ranking faculty positions, and was released at a NOW-organized Congressional briefing last year.

A 2004 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report requested by Wyden and Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., found that few government agencies have conducted compliance reviews to assure that women and girls are treated equally in any institution receiving federal funds.