Science Olympiad + Million Women Mentors
The Million Women Mentors initiative was founded in 2015 to involve 1M women in STEM mentoring roles by 2019 with the goal of increasing female success in STEM programs, apprenticeships, college majors and careers. Science Olympiad was one of the first girl-serving national organizations to join forces with this powerful movement because of a shared desire to inspire more girls to choose STEM. Once the original goal was surpassed, STEMConnector positioned MWM as the premier network dedicated to encouraging girls and women around the world to pursue, persist and succeed in STEM careers. Together, we can close the gender gap!
- Women comprise 52% of the college-educated workforce, but make up only 29% of the STEM workforce
- Girls with a mentor are 2.5x more likely to be confident in their ability to succeed in school and careers
MWM-Illinois Highlights
"The Power of One: How You Can Make A Difference in STEM Mentoring" on MENTOR and Giving Compass - by MWM-IL State Chair Jenny Kopach
Stand Up for STEM Award - Press Release for Presentation on MWM's 5th Anniversary to award recipient Illinois State Representative Mary Edly-Allen of Libertyville's 51st District - Official Photo & Congratulatory Letter from MWM-IL Honorary Chair, US Senator Tammy Duckworth
Senator Duckworth Congratulations Letter 2017
Science Olympiad received the Excellence in Partner Innovation Award at the October 2016 MWM Summit in Washington, DC
Million Women Mentors Resources
2022 How to Get Involved Overview
State of the States Reports & Resources
MWM and STEMConnector on Twitter
Science Olympiad has long been a champion of women in STEM, both on competitive teams and in leadership roles throughout the organization. In 2021, women held 50% of State Director, Rules Committee Chair and Executive and Advisory Board roles in Science Olympiad, and roughly half of all competitors on our nationwide teams are girls. Jenny Kopach, Science Olympiad's CEO and SVP of Marketing Communications, has served as Chair of the Million Women Mentors - Illinois initiative for seven years, aggregating and amplifying the efforts of STEM providers and producers across the state. A State Steering Committee with Senator Tammy Duckworth as Honorary Chair of Million Women Mentors - Illinois is stacked with powerful leaders in the state STEM landscape. Please email Jenny for more info or if you'd like to join the movement!
