The need for more women in STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—is urgent and ongoing. And that encouragement starts early. So, how do we spark interest in STEM among girls and young women? Here are a few proven ways: 1. Mentorship Matters: Girls benefit greatly from exposure to women who have forged successful careers in STEM. Seeing someone who has navigated the path makes it feel achievable. 2. Visibility and Role Models: Girls must see women thriving in traditionally male-dominated industries. Representation reinforces self-belief and helps dismantle stereotypes. 3. Create Hands-On Opportunities: Encourage participation in coding camps, robotics teams, and digital media projects. Tangible experience helps them discover their strengths. 4. Normalize Tech Talk at Home and School: Cultivate curiosity early by integrating tech-related conversations, games, and experiments into daily life. 5. Challenge Gender Biases: Empower educators and parents to push back against limiting beliefs like "tech is for boys." Confidence is built through support and exposure. By investing in mentorship, visibility, and early engagement, we can light the spark for future web designers, developers, engineers, and innovators. Girls belong in STEM—and it’s time the world reflects that truth. 5. The Ripple Effect: Women Designing for Women When women design, the results speak volumes. They build websites that speak to underserved audiences, prioritize emotional safety in UX, and make technology feel like a tool instead of a barrier. From women-led nonprofits to online communities supporting mothers, mental health, and minority-owned businesses, women designers are helping others be seen and heard. 6. Designing a Better Future To the woman wondering if she belongs in tech: You already do. Whether you're coding, designing, strategizing, or storytelling, you’re shaping the web. Let’s continue to open doors, lift others, and build a digital world where everyone belongs. Whether you're just starting or decades into your career, your presence matters. Celebrate women in tech by sharing this article, championing a colleague, mentoring a rising leader, or using your platform to advocate for greater visibility and equity in digital spaces. Leadership isn't defined by title—it's defined by impact. Let's continue to lead, together.
A bout the Author: Dotty Scott is the founder of Premium Websites, Inc. , a web design and digital marketing company empowering solopreneurs and small businesses since 2006. As a self-taught web designer and advocate for women in tech, Dotty blends creativity with strategic insight to build inclusive, impactful digital experiences. She is a speaker, trainer, and the best-selling author of Your Amazing Itty Bitty Visibility Book: 15 Chapters to Marketing Made Easy! Dotty lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she enjoys hiking, nature photography, and mentoring the next generation of digital creators.
dotty@premiumwebsites.net connect on LinkedIn
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