STEMspiring Stories
Every year on February 11, the United Nations recognizes the International Day of Women & Girls in Science. This special day celebrates the role women and girls play as agents of change on the road to achieving full and equal access to and participation in science. Women role models can be crucial to girls sticking with STEM²D pathways—that’s why Johnson & Johnson’s WiSTEM²D Youth Program aims to inspire girls’ interest in STEM²D from an early age and help them grow and develop in these areas.
WiSTEM²D has partnered with EXPLR Media to create “Origin Story,” videos showcasing two of Johnson & Johnson’s female scientists. These exciting videos capture a day on the job with heroes in emerging and essential science professions. Hear their backstories, see what drives them both in and out of the workplace, and learn about their everyday hero qualities.
Meet Scientist Sabrina Henry
Sabrina Henry is a Research & Development Manager at Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health. She helps create many of the body-care products people use every single day.
“As a Black woman in a STEM field, it is super important to use my voice to be able to create space for tomorrow.”
–Sabrina Henry
Meet Scientist Glenda Castro
Glenda Castro is a Scientist at Janssen Research Center. She helps develop new medicine to help cure diseases and alleviate suffering.
“The goal is to help people, to come up with new medicines that support those people and help them feel better.”
–Glenda Castro
Get ready to meet six STEM²D professionals, each with a unique background and career. From a passionate artist to a self-professed math nerd, you’ll find out what sparked their interest in STEM²D, what they’re working on today, and how they can inspire you! For each, you’ll find quotes, photos, job details, and who inspired them. Dive in!
Ready for More STEMspiration?
To even more STEMspiration, watch the four-episode series, STEM²D Live @ Home, brought to you by the STEM²D initiative. Each episode was offered live, with Q&A from the audience. You’ll discover the ins and outs of careers in science, technology, engineering, math, manufacturing, and design.
A Virtual Panel in Celebration of International Women’s Day 2021
Every year on March 8, the world celebrates International Women’s Day, a global recognition of progress made and progress still to come in gender equality and women’s rights.
J&J’s WiSTEM²D Youth Program aims to shape a more equal future for women and girls by cultivating girls’ interest in STEM²D from an early age and helping them grow and develop in these areas. Female role models can be crucial to girls sticking with STEM²D pathways.
On March 9, STEM²D online hosted a virtual panel of remarkable women from around the globe who are changing the world through their STEM²D careers. If you missed the live stream, you can still hear their stories of triumph and STEMspiration in the video and meet the panelists.
Sparking Girls’ Interest in STEM²D Careers
Angela Shenton (Sr. Director, IT Procurement, Johnson & Johnson) and Lisa Johnson (Director, National Institute for Work and Learning, FHI360) co-hosted this introduction to the WiSTEM²D Youth Pillar program and discussed its successes and the importance of engaging and mentoring girls along STEM²D career paths. Brenda Okereke (Rutgers University School of Engineering student) and Gloria Candelario Hossri (J&J volunteer mentor) shared their experiences working together in the J&J Bridge to Employment Program. Teshell Ponteen Green (FHI360 Technical Officer) also led participants through two STEM²D activities during the episode! Learn more about J&J employee volunteers who serve as role models and mentors and hear answers to questions asked in the comments section of the livestream. Hosted by FHI360.
Ouch! I Need a Band-Aid®
In this episode, students have fun constructing and packaging an adhesive bandage for a specific injury using everyday materials . . . and learn all about STEM²D careers in the process, thanks to Dra. Mónica Solana Elizondo, Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs, Regional Office Latin America, who will discuss her work and how STEM²D careers can change the world. Hosted by Smithsonian Science Education Center.
Diversity in STEM²D
JA Singapore students Nishitha and Nikhitha Khasnavis interview Somi Kim, Senior Director, Healthcare Solutions, J&J Design, to discuss design thinking, the many facets of diversity, why it’s more important than ever for girls to consider STEM²D careers, and how diversity is driving the road to a vaccine at J&J. Join in a short and fun design activity and ask questions live. Hosted by JA Worldwide.