About Us

Addressing the underrepresentation of women in science, medicine and tech careers by inspiring young girls and teens through storytelling, clear presentation of career pathways, and mentorship, enhanced by the opportunity for leadership and community-building.

SciSisters is a multimedia platform and mentorship initiative created to address the gender gap in STEM by making a wide range of careers more accessible, relatable, and visible to girls from elementary school through college. The goal of SciSisters is to spark interest in STEM among girls by showing them what these careers actually look like, who is thriving in them, and how they got there. Through storytelling, direct mentorship, and hands-on learning, SciSisters helps girls build both the curiosity and the confidence to imagine themselves in STEM fields.

Despite increasing national attention on gender equity, women remain significantly underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and the healthcare fields. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2021), only 27% of STEM workers are women. The numbers are even lower for women of color. This underrepresentation begins long before college or employment. Research shows that many girls lose interest in STEM subjects by the age of ten, not because of a lack of ability or potential, but due to a combination of factors including limited exposure, gendered stereotypes, and a lack of visible role models. Girls who do not see anyone who looks like them succeeding in STEM often begin to believe those careers are not for them.

This disparity has far-reaching consequences beyond employment statistics. Careers in STEM are among the fastest-growing and highest-paying, and access to these fields contributes significantly to long-term financial security, autonomy, and mental health. When girls are discouraged from entering STEM, they lose access to that entire world of opportunity. The communities themselves also lose out on the diverse perspectives that help to drive innovation, improve problem-solving, and create more equitable solutions in science and technology. Lack of representation in these fields perpetuates a cycle where women are less likely to enter STEM, less likely to stay, and less likely to rise to leadership roles. 

There is also inherent risk to underrepresentation of women in medicine, in maternal health outcomes for example, as female health issues are negatively affected by a lack of women in those fields. Women with chronic conditions in Australia reported pain that significantly impacted their daily lives, but conceded a shared experience of feeling that the pain and suffering of women was dismissed or not taken seriously. Many women expressed trauma because of their experiences in health care and often this led to a fear of accessing health services. The participants highlighted a need for more knowledge, understanding, and empathy from health care practitioners. More women in healthcare lead to better outcomes on this front. Addressing this issue is not only a matter of improving public health, but also of economic opportunity, and educational equity.

This is not just about career education; it is about unlocking potential, building confidence, and changing lives. With your support, SciSisters can build the foundation for an enormous change in the career trajectory of countless young people. Investing in SciSisters is investing in the future of equality, innovation, improved communities, and maybe an improved planet. We hope you’ll join us on our journey.

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