This year I am feeling particularly grateful and reflective after moving back to the Photonics industry after some time away. In my 20+ year career in optics, I have been lucky enough to have worked with some amazing and inspiring women. When I was still a teenager, I worked in a filter company (what up, Barr Associates Alum!!) in the test department. I was promoted to an Engineering Tech by a lead R&D Engineer, Evelyn, who saw potential in me and helped propel my entire working life. I will always be wildly grateful for the experience of being able to work for and with Evelyn, as her influence still has an incredibly positive and lasting effect on the way I work today.
I also made many long-lasting friendships with the women I have worked with over the years because their presence in my workplace was so important to my well-being, and has helped shape who I have become, both at work and in my personal life.
For the women who work in the science field, I believe we make stronger, long-lasting connections outside of our work lives due to the smaller number of us and some of the trials we have to bear just because of our gender. I hope this trend continues even as our numbers grow in the STEM world, and continues to become more inclusive for all genders. #idwgs2023 #womenempowerment #womeninscience #womeninoptics
So thank you and Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science to Evelyn Stull, Rebecca Tola, Karen K., Joanna Langworthy, Andromeda Huffman, Jennifer Bradley, Cassandra Clancy, and Marissa Dupont!
#experience #thankyou #event #science Please check out this link below as there’s some great info on this event and why it’s such a big deal! (Thanks for the link, Casey!)
by Erin Healey, Quality Manager, Headwall Photonics
https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day