The beauty company Mary Kay, Inc., which has taken up global advocacy for women's empowerment and education, recently hosted the Dallas Independent School District's Young Women's Preparatory Network (YWPN)/Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School for an inspirational look at women in STEAM on the UN's International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Twenty-five students took part in the special summit.

Dr. Lucy Gildea, chief innovation officer of Product and Science at Mary Kay, stated:

Mary Kay is committed to empowering and inspiring the next generation of women to pursue their passions—because the future is STEAM.

Get to know Intl. Day of Women & Girls in Science

Students visited the Mary Kay Richard R. Rogers (R3) Manufacturing/R&D Center in Lewisville, Texas, where they toured the state-of-the-art facility and learned about various aspects of STEAM-related manufacturing processes at a global and complex beauty company. They were also able to access a special educational session with a panel of experts in areas such as innovation at the source, product formulation, information technology, product research, strategy and portfolio planning, and process development.

The young women also participated in a mentoring luncheon, where they had the opportunity to discuss different career development options for women in STEAM, their personal and professional aspirations, and the most effective way to stimulate, prepare, and motivate young women who want to continue in STEAM careers.

“Women are underrepresented in the STEAM workforce, but we can narrow that gap by providing critical early learning opportunities and exposure for young women to seek out and explore STEAM careers of interest,” added Gildea.

"In this time of scientific progress, there's area where we are falling behind, and by a lot."

On #WomenInScience Day, @UNCTAD chief @RGrynspan calls on everyone to do their part to achieve gender equality in science & build a brighter future for all. https://t.co/jikVcAZJiZ pic.twitter.com/LmwEaKy7ny

— UNCTAD, the UN trade & development body (@UNCTAD) February 11, 2023

What's the Young Women's Preparatory Network?

Recognized for creating the first public-private partnership with the Dallas Independent School District and the Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School in 2004, YWPN is a nonprofit that partners with public school districts throughout Texas to operate the largest network of all-female public colleges in the United States.

YWPN schools are located in inner-city neighborhoods and have proven records of academic achievement, high school graduation, and college acceptance rates.

“We are thrilled to have our young women participate in a day filled with meaningful connections to women in STEAM, and are grateful to Mary Kay for this opportunity. These future leaders are bright, talented young women. To have exposure to other successful women in STEAM fields and see the impact they can make provides them that extra motivation to reach farther, achieve more, and hopefully, one day, change the world through STEAM,” said Lynn McBee, chief executive officer of YWPN.