The fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have historically been male-dominated, but the landscape is gradually changing. Women are increasingly making significant contributions to STEM, driving innovation, and offering new perspectives.

Henry Ford College mathematics professor and incoming Associate Dean of the School of STEM, Nahla Haidar, observes, “I’m seeing more women involved in this field. Definitely, there are still some challenges, especially when it’s a field where it is not common for women to be in there. There’s still work to be done.”

Haidar spoke about being the only young woman at the University of Dakar in Senegal. This was intimidating and scary considering she was only 17 at the time. Her parents were reluctant to agree with her decision to pursue a degree in mathematics, but remained supportive. For her, failure was not an option. She had to lead the way to show them that her decision was right and that she could do it. There were times when she had wanted to quit and was unsure if she was doing the right thing because of all the pressure, but ultimately Haidar prevailed and is now one of the leading women in STEM at HFC.

Numerous women in STEM, like Haidar have faced similar challenges and have excelled after facing these problems. It is stories like Haidar’s that provide powerful anecdotes of resilience and success, showcasing the achievements of women who have broken through glass ceilings. These stories serve not only as motivation but also as evidence of the value that diverse voices bring to scientific and technological advancements.

Inspiring figures come from various places, some in the very homes of these women. HFC biology instructor Dr. Sarah Plecha recalls, “My mom is probably one of my inspirations. She was a nurse. And she loved science so much that I got that interest in science. And I mean she’s one of many people that have inspired me. But she was probably my first inspiration and why I went into science.”

Dr. Plecha’s own experiences as a student and researcher have fueled her belief that everyone, regardless of background or circumstances, can succeed in STEM. She often shares her story with her students to inspire them to push through challenges and take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way. Just as she was inspired by the people around her, Dr. Plecha now serves as a role model herself, showing her students that resilience and a love for learning are key to overcoming challenges and achieving success in science.

Maurada Abdallah, a Chemistry graduate, shares, “Seeing the widespread support for women in STEM both in the media and in real life truly inspired me to keep going and pursue my dreams in this field. The song ‘What Was I Made For?’ featured in the Barbie movie, was constantly played throughout my senior year and really fueled my passion for what I do.”

While women are making gains in STEM fields, work still needs to be done. As reported by the Pew Research Center, “Black and Hispanic workers remain underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workforce compared with their share of all workers.”

According to her article, “How More Equality Can Be Brought to Women in STEM” in Forbes, Serenity Gibbons reports that while women now make up 45 percent of students pursuing STEM fields in higher education in the U.S.; however, once they graduate, women find difficulty finding jobs, with women representing only 26 percent of STEM professionals.

HFC women of STEM are defying those odds. Rather than having to tiptoe around their male counterparts, HFC women of STEM confidently express themselves freely and take on leadership roles at the college. They demonstrate that women are valuable, capable, and essential contributors to every field and that their perspectives and talents deserve recognition and respect. Through leaders like the HFC women of STEM, the college creates spaces where everyone can fully thrive and be their greatest selves.