Take Action on International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Throughout history, women have been making their mark on the sciences and the world. The pioneering work on radiation by Marie Curie, the astronomical observations of Vera Rubin, the great accomplishments of Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski, the youngest person ever to build an airplane, and the contributions of Katherine Johnson to space exploration are just a few of the better-known examples. We thank these women for paving the path forward with their significant contributions to science and inspiring the next generation of researchers.

I’m proud to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. For the past eight years, this day has been celebrated across the globe to amplify the critical role that women and girls can and do play in science and technology. At the same time, we recognize that progress in gender equality and progress in science go hand-in-hand when trying to address global issues.

I am passionately involved in advocating for gender equity and other diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) issues, both at Sanofi and within the life sciences community at large. Within our R&D organization, a focus on early talent is critical because the future of scientific work is rooted in the diverse perspectives and knowledge of the next generation of scientists. Furthermore, we rely on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education to feed our talent pipeline. If girls – especially those from racial and ethnic minority groups – aren’t encouraged to enter STEM fields, research and laboratory-based jobs will not be diverse and will not benefit from the creativity and innovation that comes with diverse thinking. It’s critical that our workforce reflects the communities we engage with, now and in the future.

I’m honored to pause and reflect on all the women in science who are driving change and chasing the miracles of science. And I also challenge you to engage and contribute to equal access to science, technology, and innovation.

Here are four simple ways you can support women and girls in science:

• Share your journey in science to help inspire future generations
• Share an email/call/text/social media post to recognize a woman in your life who is advancing science
• Say yes to her request, participate in her panel, prioritize her request, or offer her an opportunity
• Advocate for practices and engage with organizations that advance women’s empowerment