February 11 is #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience, and I can think of few better people to celebrate than Yamileé Toussaint. When I met Yamileé at the School Leaders of Color Conference and heard her describe the organization she was working to create, I knew she was about to change the world.
Yamileé founded STEM from Dance to diversify the STEM field by using the community, joy, and confidence-building that comes from dancing to introduce STEM to girls. In the programs, girls infuse technology into dance and discover the possibility of STEM careers. Yamileé was inspired to create STEM from Dance from her own experience as being one of the few women in her MIT classes.
As someone who has been in many spaces where I am an other, I'm inspired by Yamileé's determination to ensure other girls will not be alone and the STEM field can benefit from more diverse talent. Imagine what the women who have benefit from STEM from Dance will create in the world! https://buff.ly/3SDaF48
This #BlackHistoryMonth, I'm celebrating 29 Black women who have influenced me through the ways they pursue their own liberation. Black women's work is often unrecognized and not cited, and this month I'm determined to pass out a few flowers to Black women. #Day11 #29LoveLettersToBlackWomen #GiveBlackWomenTheirFlowers