Made Smarter West Midlands supporting Women In STEM for International Women’s day 2023.
Made Smarter West Midlands ambassador Rachel Eade joined Women: Innovation, Technology, Strength, the recent Aston University International Women’s Day event. Introduced by Stephen Garfield Head of Engineering and Physical Sciences, the event endorsed the need to develop more ways to encourage young girls into STEM subjects and careers, with more role models and new pathways for girls through higher education levels.
The event was a showcase for the celebration of women in innovation, technology and entrepreneurship, what drives them, and the ideas they bring to life. Speakers included a spectrum of women; all who are passionate about science, business and the causes close to their hearts, and all who have gone on to do amazing things. They covered a wide range of careers including human science researchers, tech developers, audio visual technician and stage manager, digital artist, funeral planner, prosthetic developer and innovation strategist. Each and every one of the women told their story with honesty, passion detailing the often-personal reasons that drove them to succeed and the barriers they have overcome. This included uncomfortable details of fear of failure, identity crisis, disabilities, racism, sexism and ageism that brought tears to many eyes but the passion and the importance of setting of goals, celebrating success and seeking help was repeated many times.
The adoption of technology helped all the women in their roles and for some was the way to adapt their core skill (fine art) to a saleable product (digital art) that is used in many health care settings as a therapeutic tool.
The key advice offered by Sharon Sinclair, Circle of Life Events was “when life happens, grab the lens offered and use it”.
The session concluded with the clear ambition that more female role models representing a wide range of careers, from women of all backgrounds, race and age is needed. This will encourage both the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs, as well as supporting those already on their journey and ultimately helping all of them to re tell their stories of success to future generations to follow.
Rachel Eade, MBE
