The AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassador program, managed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, brings together 125 women from a variety of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers to serve as high-profile role models for middle school girls. These STEM professionals use their skills in many fields – including research and development, sports and recreation, finance, fashion, gaming, engineering and manufacturing, entertainment, healthcare, retail, music, and more. IF/THEN® is part of Lyda Hill Philanthropies’ commitment to fund game-changing advancements in science and nature.
IF/THEN® seeks to further advance women in STEM by empowering current innovators and inspiring the next generation of pioneers. Rooted in a firm belief that there is no better time to highlight positive and successful female professional role models, IF/THEN® is designed to activate a culture shift among young girls to open their eyes to STEM careers by: (1) funding and elevating women in STEM as role models, (2) convening cross-sector partners in entertainment, fashion, sports, business and academia to illuminate the importance of STEM everywhere, and (3) inspiring girls with better portrayals of women in STEM through media and learning experiences to pique their interest in STEM careers. The ambassadors are involved in various outreach programs throughout the country; you can find them in classrooms and museums across the country.
In March 2022, they were featured in an exhibit featuring 3D printed real-life statues of themselves at various Smithsonian museums in Washington DC, in honor of Women’s History Month – or better yet, Women’s Futures Month. After learning that in the top 10 US cities there are only 6 statues of real-life women found in public spaces, IF/THEN® decided to create an exhibit highlighting the greatest number of women displayed at one time ever – and they are all women in STEM!
Here we highlight just a handful of women making a difference in their fields and in STEM outreach and education.
We were truly honored to share their stories!
You can read their background and contributions to the STEM disciplines below by clicking on their respective headshots below.