Argonne Nuclear Engineer Natalia Saraeva (NE) joined more than 5,000 women from across the country for the recent United State of Women Summit in Washington, D.C.
The summit was convened by the White House and featured a variety of breakout sessions, including a forum sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency called “Crafting the Bigger Picture: Empowering Women and Girls in STEM.” The forum brought together about 100 representatives from various national laboratories, federal agencies, academic institutions and nonprofit organizations and focused on diversifying the workforce and getting women and girls involved in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.
Saraeva spoke about Argonne’s efforts to recruit, retain and promote women through its Women in Science and Technology (WIST) program. WIST was created in 1990 to diversify and strengthen the laboratory’s scientific workforce. The program aims to promote the success of women in scientific and technical positions. Saraeva also presented information on WIST outreach activities such as Science Careers in Search of Women and Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day.
“It was inspiring to see so many engaged, successful women come together to tackle this important issue,” Saraeva said. “We all have a stake in ensuring that women and girls are encouraged to pursue and retain careers in STEM, because STEM opens doors to exciting opportunities.”
Argonne Nuclear Engineer and WIST member Natalia Saraeva (left) discusses the laboratory’s Women in Science and Technology Program with attendees at the recent United State of Women conference in Washington, D.C.