Hamersma’s Feminist Manifesto

Since starting college, I have been

grappling with the idea of pursuing a degree in

psychology or neuroscience. These two fields are

science-based, so I have become enthusiastic

about encouraging more women to consider

STEM fields-science, technology, engineering,

and math to be a part of their college education. Political equality is a huge factor in this, and I

find it crucial that women feel comfortable and confident pursuing an education in any field they

find interesting to them without their gender being an obstacle to that success. When it comes to

the topic of equality in the STEM fields, most of us will readily agree that everyone should be

able to pursue the path they are interested in (Dresden, Rich 608). Where this argument usually

ends, however, is on the question of what each of us can do to bring about this equality. Whereas

some are convinced that they don’t have much to offer, others maintain that their passions and

skills would provide helpful insight or knowledge to enhance this aspect of modern feminism

(Parsons-Valles). By examining important experiences in my life regarding political equality and

passions that I have for the future, it is clear to me that the center of feminism includes the

importance of encouragement and support for women to pursue STEM fields, or whatever path

they are passionate about for that matter.

I have been influenced by my peers and friends in high school who are also women

pursuing a career in science, as well as articles I have discovered in college informing me of the

inequalities women face in the STEM fields. My friend Lydia studying engineering was asked by

a male student at her university “are you studying to be a teacher or a nurse?” Even if this
comment was in a joking manner, it is insensitive and perpetuating the idea that those are the

only two fields women can be successful in. Those two fields of study don’t mean less than

STEM fields, but there is a history of women only being able to have a career in nursing or

teaching and this comment is offensive and sustains that idea. As Brooke Dresden has asserted in

her report, “approximately 30% of women who enter engineering, a male-dominated field,

ultimately leave the profession. Of those women who left the engineering field, 30% cited

organizational climate as a primary motivator”(Dresden). With sexist questions posed about their

major, harassment, and being surrounded with the idea that they will not succeed in a male

dominated field like engineering, we are shooting down women before they have even had the

chance to prove that they have what it takes to accel in these majors. This is why I am passionate

about encouraging and supporting women in STEM fields.

I believe that women should be able to choose any career they desire, and I want to be

able to support women in that decision. One way I can start this process is by being a member of

WiSE. This is a group of women in science and engineering majors who gather together and

support one another in their journey through college. WiSE also works towards supporting

women in high school and younger who may be interested in science, and encourages them to

keep doing what they love despite what they may hear discouraging it. Being in a science field,

there is often a stereotype of women not performing as well, as science is often a male dominated

field. I want political equality to be enforced and encouraged in schools in order to inspire girls

and young women to pursue STEM fields if that is the path they are passionate about. WiSE is a

great opportunity to help young girls to feel confident in their decision to participate in a science

or engineering field.

Overall, I have been interested in a career involving the STEM fields throughout high
school and my time in college so far. The obstacles and misinformation I have encountered

surrounding women in these fields has been frustrating, but they have also fueled my passion

around making sure other women realize what they can accomplish. I am extremely passionate

about equality within majors in college, and believe that the knowledge I have gained about

feminism can help me advocate for women interested in participating in male dominated fields of

study. Learning about political equality and how many women don’t feel fully supported and

included in their field of choice really opened my eyes to the inequalities present in society that I

would love to work towards abolishing.

Works Cited

Dresden, Brooke E., et al. “No Girls Allowed: Women in Male-Dominated Majors
Experience Increased Gender Harassment and Bias.” Psychological Reports, vol. 121, no.

3, Nov. 2017, pp. 459–474., doi:10.1177/0033294117730357.

Parsons-Valles, Alayna. “Empowering Women in STEM Jobs.” The Anchor, 16 Jan.

2018, anchor.hope.edu/campus/empowering-women-stem-jobs/.

Rich, Adrienne. “Claiming An Education.” 2017, pp. 608–613., doi:10.18411/a-2017-

023.