On March 17, the House Science Committee approved, by voice vote, a resolution (H. Con. Res. 96) recognizing the significant achievements and contributions of African American women scientists, mathematicians, and inventors. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sponsored the resolution.
According to the resolution, “African American women, once considered nontraditional participants in the United States scientific community, have become an indispensable part of the new technology society.” The resolution notes that of the 427,740 individuals who hold a science or engineering degree in the United States, 25 percent are women, and African American women comprise less than one percent of such individuals. The resolution states that in order “to improve the numbers of African American youth pursuing science, especially young women, it is crucial to provide scientific minds for them to look up to and emulate.” Finally, the resolution highlights a number of African American women “who have broken through many barriers to achieve greatness in science.”
In a press release announcing her sponsorship of the resolution, Rep. Johnson stated, “Commemorating the achievements of these great minds not only distinguishes a group of role models many of today’s youth are unaware of, but honoring these women for being at the very top of the performance curve demonstrates to the world the importance of diversity in the workplace.”
