WHEREAS, a majority of the United States economic activity is attributed to STEM and occupations in the STEM field are projected to grow in the United States by 8.0% by 2029; and
WHEREAS, Delaware is home to several industries that rely on STEM workers such as biotech, healthcare, and manufacturing, and is ranked as having one of the largest relative demands for STEM workers; and
WHEREAS, women are underrepresented in STEM jobs across the United States and Delaware, making up 48% of the workforce but only accounting for 29% of STEM workers in the U.S; and
WHEREAS, women are even further underrepresented in STEM clusters such as engineering and architecture, accounting for just 15% of the workforce; and
WHEREAS, jobs in STEM fields typically provide higher-paying wages than non-STEM jobs. An average STEM worker will earn two-thirds more than those employed in non-STEM fields; and
WHEREAS, women in STEM typically earn less than their male counterparts across all racial and ethnic groups; and
WHEREAS, the median earnings for women in STEM occupations is $66,200 compared to $90,000 for men, with an even larger pay gap for Black and Hispanic women; and
WHEREAS, the gender pay gap persists, yet is shrinking among STEM fields like computer science as new female computer science graduates earn on average $79,223 compared to $82,159 for their male counterparts; and
WHEREAS, girls have fewer role models to inspire their interest in these fields, seeing limited examples of female STEM professionals, and even fewer role models of minority women in STEM; and
WHEREAS, increasing role models and mentorships for young women in STEM is a crucial component to encouraging girls to stay interested and engaged in STEM; and
WHEREAS, organizations like the Delaware Chapter of Million Women Mentors, led by Jennifer Kmiec and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, serve to increase mentorships for young women in STEM and to connect them with professionals in their careers and increase awareness around this issue; and
WHEREAS, Delaware is home to several STEM professionals who serve as role models for women and girls, such as Jacqueline Means, who was instrumental in creating Delaware’s Women and Girls in STEM Day in 2021, and is the founder of the Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative, which works to promote STEM literacy and empower girls in underprivileged communities; and
WHEREAS, Teri Quinn Gray, Co-Chair of the Delaware STEM Council, joined the Delaware Legislative Women’s Caucus to celebrate the first meeting of the bipartisan and bicameral coalition focused on promoting the interests of Delaware women; and
WHEREAS, Teri Quinn Gray shared her experience as a Black woman pursuing a career in STEM, the barriers women and girls face in the STEM field, and the opportunities present to promote STEM education in Delaware; and
WHEREAS, expanding the workforce in STEM fields to be more inclusive of women and girls is essential for Delaware to stay economically competitive and to maximize innovation and competitiveness; and
WHEREAS, the State of Delaware needs to promote and celebrate STEM education for women and girls to cultivate necessary talent to attract and retain businesses in the State of Delaware; and
WHEREAS, Women and Girls in STEM Day encourages these mentorships and examples, and honors all of the women and girls who are making changes in the field of STEM.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of the 151st General Assembly of the State of Delaware that the House supports the observance of Delaware Women and Girls STEM Day on March 24th, which celebrates and encourages women and girls in STEM fields including STEM education and literacy.
