| Dr. Ruth Simmons, President of Smith College
Empowering Women through Education
 Our take on Dr. Ruth Simmons, from her
Witi Conference Keynote
A First -- An Engineering Degree, with a liberal arts flair at Smith College
In the near future, Smith College will be offering "liberal arts"
thinkers formal engineering degrees. The New York Times gave this
announcement national attention because it will be the first engineering school in a
women's college -- and long overdue.
Designing tools and solving problems is what engineers do. Getting more women as
engineers will take time. As a leading educational institution, Smith recognizes the
growing importance of technology in schools and everyday lives. Setting the technology
agenda means designing it and determining how it is to be used so there is the
maximization of utility and the minimization of harm. By taking a leadership role, Smith
College hopes to influence professional choices for women through educational empowerment.
Equity by Example and Design
The landscape for women's equity needs further improvement. Despite efforts to steer
women into math and science courses, most women are unlikely to take physics, a
prerequisite for engineering school. While computer science classes abound, women are
still tracked into clerical or data entry functions. Software reinforces stereotypical
female roles while few women enjoy board seats or senior management or line positions. The
enormity of this problem makes Smith's announcement a small, but exciting step for change.
As a passionate believer in education, Dr. Simmons would not be president of Smith
College today had she had not seen a woman who was the president of a college. Pursuing
your interests despite discouragement is difficult. It is important to hold up a light to
young women and their aspirations for having a career in engineering and technology.
Remember little girls notice how you live your life. What you achieve in business and your
career is seen and heeded by them. These girls come to believe that they can do it also.
Collectively as career professionals and individuals, we have a lot of influence. Be
persistent when lobbying for leadership in diversity. Encourage those with funding access
to finance initiatives that encourage women in math and science. Insist these initiatives
get developed. Without a variety of life perspectives that include women, there is an
opportunity cost to be paid in products not built, constraints not understood, and
processes not invented.
Currently the open door policy to potential is threatened by the academic requirement
of Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores in the 700's. Education is to teach those who
need it, not those who already know. Supporting potential means giving opportunity to
those that need it most.
Reconnecting with feelings of pride and possibility is an everyday occurrence at work
for me. Make it manifest to the children and young people you encounter. Impart it to
others. Be happy about what you do and influence another life. By looking excited, you
communicate excitement. Love your work and have enthusiasm for what you give to the world.
Children follow what they see. Dedicate yourself to producing value for the next
generation.
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