Women in Science

This week I had the privilege of sitting in on 51 presentations given to the Technical Committee of the DoD's ESTCP (Environmental Security Technology Certification Program) Program. The presenters came from private industry, non- DoD federal agencies, and the Department of Defense and compete for grant money. The point of the program is to fund innovative alternative energy research to benefit the DoD and, if successful, the American public at large.

As the presenters came up, I noticed a trend rather quickly. When the presenters were women, few were married and the ones that were tended not to have children. These are bright and dynamic scientists and engineers. As a country, can we not figure out a way to keep women from dropping out of the R&D world if they decide to pursue a family?

There is a tendency to view America as falling behind in scientific research relative to the rest of the world. We could go a long way in addressing this concern if we found a way for female scientists and engineers to combine a career with raising a family.

It's a Freecycle World

So, if you haven't tried it out I would suggest that you join the Freecycle network. Its a nonprofit movement of individuals and organizations dedicated to keeping stuff out of landfills. It works by electronically (email) connecting individuals in a community. You post that you have something to freecycle and if someone wants it, they will respond with an email. You then pick the person you want to freecycle it to and, voila, a stranger shows up on your doorstep and takes it away with a smile on their face.

I have so far freecycled a dish washer and a dresser that even the Salvation Army wouldn't take but which my husband and I didn't have the heart to throw out with the trash. (Yes, it seems that nonprofits are picky when it comes to their furniture). The dresser is now in the bedroom of a ten-year old girl.

You can also send an email requesting an item. Folks will email you if they have it and want to see it come to second life helping another.

So, sign up today and Freecycle something. Your an American and more than likely have enough in your home to keep the Freecycle community in operation until the end-of-the-world.