Mary Kay marked the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science with an exploratory event aimed to inspire the next generation of female STEM leaders. According to UNESCO, “Women make up only 35% of students enrolled in STEM-related fields of study in higher education” (UNESCO, 2020).
Thirty students from Lewisville High School – Harmon Campus arrived at Mary Kay’s Richard R. Rogers Manufacturing / R&D Center (R3) in Lewisville, TX, where they were greeted with an inspiring welcome and personal STEM career journey from Nichole Jones-Dooley, Vice President of Manufacturing North America at Mary Kay. Students then embarked on a guided tour of the state-of-the-art facility, learning about the vastly diverse aspects of STEM-related career opportunities within the global beauty and manufacturing industry.
The highlight of the day was a Cosmetic Chemistry class and hands-on experiment led by Carissa Dowdy, Manager, Product Formulation at Mary Kay. Participants learned about the intricacies of building complex product formulations and the science behind popular beauty products. Students then put their knowledge to the test creating their own Mary Kay® Unlimited Lip Gloss. Before departing, students and Mary Kay STEM professionals shared an engaging lunch, discussing various career paths for women in STEM, personal aspirations, and how to better encourage and support young women pursuing careers in science and technology.
“Empowering and inspiring the next generation of female scientists and innovators is a winning formula ensuring women are more equally represented in the future of STEM,” said Dr. Lucy Gildea, Chief Brand and Scientific Officer at Mary Kay. “By giving them the tools and knowledge to explore STEM fields, we’re nurturing future leaders who will shape the beauty and STEM industries. Witnessing their curiosity take hold and the spark ignite as they imagine the possibilities of their future in STEM – it’s tremendous!”
Boasting a 63% female, global R&D team, Mary Kay celebrates and encourages young women who are taking charge of their futures through leadership, innovation, and determination to excel in STEM fields. By offering continued support to young women in STEM areas, Mary Kay is continuing their mission to enrich the lives of women everywhere.
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