The accomplishments of the women featured in Hidden Figures were nothing short of phenomenal, but the story didn't end with the closing credits. The Dallas area chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), reminded us of that when they honored 10 Dallas area women during their Hidden Figures of Dallas Scholarship Fundraiser.
The Hidden Figures of Dallas include a woman who holds 5 degrees including a Doctorate in Electrical Engineering and a Master's Degree in Engineering Management, one who designs proprietary chemical markers, which helps return millions of dollars to nations experiencing fuel theft and counterfeiting, an intellectual Property Lawyer, and a Clinical Research Professional. These women are the embodiment of NSBE's mission which is "to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community."
It's no secret that there is a gender gap in engineering and computer occupations. *In 2015 women made up 24.7% of computer and mathematical occupations, and 15.1% of architecture and engineering occupations. For women of color, the gap is even wider. Asian, Black and Latina women made up less than 10% of working scientist and engineers in the U.S. in 2013.
Those numbers are bleak, but much like Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson, the 10 Hidden Figures of Dallas are living proof that women of color can thrive in STEM-related careers.
Meet the honorees:
Victoria Brown, Ph.D., Clinical Research Professional
Victoria Brown is the Director of Clinical Research Administration for Children's Health System of Dallas. She holds a Doctorate in Pharmacology (with an emphasis in neurosciences). She has received numerous fellowship awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other industries for her work in drug abuse research and treatment and has served as a scientific reviewer for NIH for more than a decade.
Juanita Deloach, Ph.D., Intellectual Property Lawyer
Juanita DeLoach is an intellectual property lawyer specializing in patent litigation. She holds 5 degrees including a Doctorate in Electrical Engineering and a Master's Degree in Engineering Management.
Sherrelle Diggs, P.E., Civil Engineer Project Manager
Sherrelle Diggs has worked in civil engineering for more than 17 years including her current role as a Civil Engineer Project Manager at The Dimension Group in Dallas. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering and is a registered professional engineer in Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado.
Leanne Metcalfe, Ph.D., Biomedical Engineer
Leanne Metcalfe is a Senior Director of Collaborative Research and Data Science at Health Care Service Corporation, the parent company of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. She holds a Doctorate in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Yolanda Parker, Ph.D., Mathematics Professor
Yolanda Parker is a math professor at Tarrant County College and a representative for the school on the DFW Technology and Education Council. She holds a Doctorate in Mathematics Education from Illinois State University.
Tiffany Ricks, M.S., Software Engineer
Tiffany Ricks is the CEO of Hacware, a custom software development company. Ricks has a Master's Degree in Management from Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Sherrika Sanders, Ph.D., Director, R&D
Sherrika Sanders is Director of R&D at Authentix, Inc., where she designs proprietary chemical markers, which helps return millions of dollars to nations experiencing fuel theft and counterfeiting. She received her Doctorate in Chemistry from The University of Houston.
Alexis Scott, M.S., Systems Engineer
Alexis Scott is a Senior Principal Systems Engineer at Raytheon where she manages a team of 11 engineers. Scott has a Master's Degree in mathematics from the University of North Texas.
Jennifer Stimpson, M.A., Chemist
Jennifer Stimpson is a science teacher at The Hockaday School, federally-trained Forensic Chemist and Founder/Executive director of Knowledge in Chemistry, a science program dedicated to enhancing STEM Competency for K-12 students. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry from Dillard University in New Orleans and was the first African-American woman to receive a Master's Degree in Environmental Chemistry from the University of Northern Iowa.
Kenya Wilson, M.Ed., S.T.E.M. Specialist
Kenya Wilson is a Science Curriculum Coach at Lancaster ISD. Prior to her current role, she instilled the Project Lead the Way Engineering and Robotics curriculum at Uplift Hampton Preparatory School. Wilson has a Master's Degree in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University in Arizona.
Thank you NSBE for unveiling these Hidden Figures!
For more information about The National Society of Black Engineers CLICK HERE.
*Catalyst. Quick Take: Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). New York: Catalyst, December 9, 2016.
