"I think there is a lot of support for getting girls interested and
competent in math and science subjects. We still, as a society, however, have
a lot of stereotypes about girls that can keep us from reaching our goals. There
are stereotypes that girls are not good at math and science, and stereotypes about
women that can be damaging for girls to see."
Rachel Muir
Girlstart Founder and Executive Director
Executive Summary:
Rachel Muir joined Cyberways and Waterways to discuss the need for girls explore the math, science, and technology fields. She also discussed her experiences being a young femail entrepreneur. Here are some highlights:
Getting Girls Involved in Math, Science, and Technology
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Girls need to know that taking advanced math and science in high school is extremely important. It is THE gateway to going into those fields. If girls do not take advanced math and science in high school, it's very unlikely that they'll advance into any of those fields.
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If you don't have a computer at home, go to the library, or work on it after school. There's a lot of stuff out there, and finding it online is a great way to look for it.
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Teachers who are interested in taking action and doing programs and projects to help girls in these subjects are the primary audience, apart from girls, for Girlstart. A teacher has to be interested in this area in order to get involved.
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I'd like to think that society will have changed positively in 10 years, but I think there will always be a need for Girlstart. And as evidence of that, the number of women who have graduated in engineering and computer science have decreased since the 1980s.
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If you know what field you are interested in, the next step is contacting a woman in that field, and asking her to be your mentor.
Being a Young Entrepreneur
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I started Girlstart when I was 26 years old. It all began in my living room with $500 and a credit card. I had a lot of volunteers that helped--family, friends, and students.
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I believed in myself, and that I could do it. I knew it would be the most challenging thing I ever did, and that's one of the reasons I did it. I knew that nothing would challenge my self-esteem more. I like challenges!
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It's stressful [being a president and founder]; I can't lie about that. For anyone who is thinking of starting a company, you think about it all the time--when you're awake, and sleeping. The payoff has to be worth it, and, for me, it definitely is.
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I raise money every single day. Every day I'm writing grants, getting individual donations, getting event sponsors, and doing fund-raisers. That part of the job is constant.
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The first step is your idea, and then your strategy and business plan. I've been very happily surprised to see there are a lot of programs to support women-owned businesses, especially early seed stage businesses. I would recommend that you contact the Chamber of Commerce in your city or town and explain your idea.
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