Terry O’ Neill, president of the National Organization for Women, was in Pittsburgh on Wednesday to tour STEM education facilities at Community College of Allegheny County, deliver a speech and participate in a panel discussion with women who work in STEM-related fields.
O’Neill said STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education is important not just for women but also for the competitiveness of the country.
Women historically have not pursued degrees or careers in those fields. O’Neill said while it was partially because of same-gender stereotyping as well as women saying they feel as if they just don’t feel like they belong in those fields.
“There is a function of not feeling welcome in an area that is very heavily dominated by males," she said. "It's not like it doesn’t go the other way. There may be some sex stereotyping keeping men out of other types of occupations that are heavily dominated by women.”
O’Neill was in town for Women’s History Month.
