Bringing The Voices Of Girls And WomenTo Science (NAPSA)—Whatdo the inventors of the windshield wiper, modern eyeglasses and kevlar (the material used in bulletproof vests) have in common? They wereall scientists and they were all women. Today, women continue to discover formulas for scientific success, despite initial difficulties entering thefield. From 1966 to 1996, the number of women with science and engineering bachelor’s degrees rose from 25 to 47 percent, the number with master’s degrees rose from 13 to 39 percent and the number of women with doctoral degrees rose from eight to 32 percent. Data also shows women made up 20 percent of all scientists and engineers at academic institutions in 1993—up from 11 percent in 1979. Yet many scientists say girls are still more likely than boys to be discouraged by the mass media, parents, peers and teachers from becoming scientists. In addition, they argue an absence of positive role models at the undergraduate and graduate level has negatively affected the number of women who decide to study science—an assertion Yale University Sterling professor Joan Argetsinger Steitz agrees with. She says scientific role models are important for young women, but hard to comeby. As evidence, Dr. Steitz adds she’s frequently the only woman on manyscientific committees charged with important decision making. “It is incumbent on those of us in key positions to open the doors to ‘ ts e5oa3 : Ge mak Re ‘ = cin ) Dr. Joan Steitz, Yale University Professor. Devoted to gender equity for womenin science. other female members of our community,” she says. Dr. Steitz has worked to create equal access to the sciences and a friendlier work environment for the young women who maybefollowing behindher. Last year she instituted an annual prize to honor graduating seniors in her department, using the prize monies received as a LOREAL-UNESCO for Women in Science (FWIS) Laureate. She also plans to remain actively involved with initiatives, like the annual FWIS awards, that highlight and reward the contributions of women in the sciences. It’s thought her efforts could help shatter the glass ceiling that many feel has prevented some major scientific—and social— breakthroughs. For more information visit www.forwomeninscience.com.