This article was written by Lauren Edwards, Executive Director, 500 Women Scientists.

500 Women Scientists launched Fellowship for the Future in January 2020 to recognize and amplify the crucial role of Women of Color in science, technology, engineering, math and medicine (STEMM).

We consider this fellowship necessary for building environments where women from all backgrounds can thrive and be supported, so that our future is one where equity, inclusion, and social justice are integrated into our STEMM communities.

We consider this fellowship necessary to support the future and we do so by following our revolutionary tenant that Fellowship is for Women of Color, by Women of Color!

In great excitement, please meet the 2021 Fellowship for the Future Fellows! They’re amazing human beings who are leading community-based projects with advocacy and/or activism built in to drastically change the STEMM landscape.

We spoke with the fellows on who they are, where they came from, and why they do what they do, Q&A style. Read on to learn more about this incredible group of changemakers.

Sara Gutierrez (She/They)

Sara is a Colombian-American Planetary Geophysicist, artist, and community organizer. Sara’s project, Just Science for [You]th, is a political education program that will support migrant high schoolers of Cleveland, Ohio, as they develop projects and develop transnational solidarity with students in Colombia.

Connect with Sara on Twitter

Q: Where do you find your joy?

SARA: I find joy eating with loved ones. I miss communion so much and the healing and loving aspect of cooking food for someone. And then the time that follows, sharing something literally life giving, not to mention all its cultural heritage it can carry, where just being with each other is the point … I could go on, but I can’t wait to share a home-cooked meal with all of my loved ones once its safe to do so.

ALL GIFS CREATED BY WE REP STEM.

Q: How do you want to reimagine the STEMM landscape?

SARA: This is in no way a complete answer to this big question, but I reimagine STEMM where all results are publicly accessible, community-led  projects are at the forefront, and funding is largely demilitarized. I understand this would entail a completely different research infrastructure and even economy to work, but dream big right?

Q: In the words of Roxane Gay and Tressie McMillan Cottom, how can the readers and supporters help you do you? 

SARA: Any BIPOC scientists interested in talking this summer to my high school scientist-organizers please reach out to me, and any organizations that engage in democratized learning that could give our students a platform to share their research and make connections, please reach out as well. Otherwise, follow me on Twitter and read my work about the Moon’s core evolution when it’s published later this year.

Q: What inspired you to work to radically change existing systems?

SARA: As the product of “brain-drain” and being positioned as this example of “the American Dream”, most of my life I was set up to bask and champion liberal politics as a leading example. That institutional higher education was the great equalizer because of the class mobility it gave my parents. But I was radicalized by realizing that no amount of higher degrees would shield my parents from white supremacy, and, more importantly, that the system promising financial security and health was not what it claimed, made especially clear to me by seeing many friends struggle to stay alive while getting their college degree.

Syrita Steib (She/Her/Hers)

Syrita is the founder and Executive Director of Operation Restoration. Syrita’s project, Operation Restoration: Lab Assistant Program for Currently and Formerly Incarcerated Women, provides training and courses for currently and formerly incarcerated women to enter the workforce as lab assistants.

Connect with Syrita: Twitter |  LinkedIn | Facebook

Q: Where do you find your joy?

SYRITA: Outside of my family, I find joy in the women that we are able to help them become what their definition of success is.

Q: How do you want to reimagine the STEMM landscape?

SYRITA: There is so much trauma in STEMM for Black women starting at an early age. Black and Brown girls are discouraged from participating or pursuing careers in STEMM. I want to create a culture where STEMM is inclusive and Black and Brown girls are actually encouraged.

Q: In the words of Roxane Gay and Tressie McMillan Cottom, how can the readers and supporters help you do you?

SYRITA: I would encourage people to support Operation Restoration either with a donation or by getting involved and volunteering for the Lab Assistant Program to support currently and formerly incarcerated women and girls to pursue careers in STEMM. 

Beyond that, I hope that people will keep an open mind and make sure that, in everything they do, they are supporting all women. I encourage people to go back and reexamine policies and practices where they work or where they are in charge to make sure you’re not discriminating against women with a conviction. Forty-four percent of Black women with a conviction are unemployed five years after their release from prison. Hiring policies and practices shut out too many women who could be making significant contributions.

Q: What inspired you to work to radically change existing systems?

SYRITA: I came into the world radical. I was born radical because of the generations before me who had been fighting for equality for my people. I come from a long line of radical leaders, but the thing that propelled me forward was my abduction and inhumane treatment in the criminal legal system.

Dr. Janina M. Jeff (She/Her/Hers)

Dr. Jeff is a population geneticist, bioinformatician, STEAM-activist, educator, motivational speaker, and podcaster. Janina’s project, In Those Genes, is an independent podcast that uses genetics to decode the lost histories and futures of African descendants. 

Connect with Janina: Twitter  |  Website

Q: Where do you find your joy?

JANINA: My joy is very dynamic but I would have to say consistently it is music. I listen to about 10-12 hours of music a day. There literally is a soundtrack to my life, certain songs remind me of certain moments (good or bad), but music takes my joy to new heights.

Q: How do you want to reimagine the STEMM landscape?

JANINA: The STEMM landscape in an ideal world would include an “A” for the arts. In addition to diversifying voices and breaking the current barriers of STEMM, adding “A” for the arts really embraces the creativity needed that should be encouraged in our field.

Q: In the words of Roxane Gay and Tressie McMillan Cottom, how can the readers and supporters help you do you?

JANINA: In Those Genes is independently funded; to give, become a monthly patreon supporters can sign up for a $2-5 donation on our Patreon . Supporters can also give a one-time donation via PayPal. If a monetary donation isn’t in the cards we encourage supports to rate and write a review of the podcast on Apple podcast. We also ask that you share this podcast with everyone you know! You can formally join the family by visiting www.inthosegenes.com and signing up for our newsletter and follow us at @inthosegenespod on Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

Q: What inspired you to work to radically change existing systems?

JANINA: Unfortunately I became radicalized through my consciousness of my own trauma due to capitalism, sexism, and racism. This led to wanting to learn more about these systems — how they formed and, more importantly, how they continue to inflict more trauma to those without power. However, I feel there is deep power in radicalization that can lead to awareness and ultimately change.

Jessica Tran (She/Her/Hers) 

Jessica is an American Geophysical Union Thriving Earth Exchange Community Science Fellow. Jessica’s project, Mapping the Extent of the Tar Creek Superfund Site, aims to hold the EPA Region 6 Office, local politicians, and state-level agencies accountable and spur greater remediation efforts. 
Connect with Jessica:  LinkedIn |  Website

Q: Where do you find your joy?

JESSICA: Nothing brings me more delight than camping with friends, eating bánh xèo with my parents, and painting outside.

Q: How do you want to reimagine the STEMM landscape?

JESSICA: My vision for STEMM holds two ideas: first, people working in STEMM will be able to be unapologetically themselves. No one should ever experience harassment or bullying, nor should they compromise or hide who they are in their pursuit of the work they love. Second, STEMM will become accessible when community members can be the drivers of research so their voices, ideas, and goals come first.

Q: In the words of Roxane Gay and Tressie McMillan Cottom, how can the readers and supporters help you do you?  

JESSICA: On my personal website you can learn more about me, and if you know about any exciting jobs, internships, or scholarships, I’d love to hear about it! I’m always looking for new opportunities. And if folks are interested in supporting LEAD Agency and our team’s project, you can read about the project here, follow LEAD Agency on Facebook, make a direct donation via PayPal, or shop through this AmazonSmile link.

Q: What inspired you to work to radically change existing systems?

JESSICA: My first introduction to environmental justice was through the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at Northern Arizona University. Through meeting activists who worked on topics like food security, sovereignty, and human rights, it was impossible to ignore how the environmental field is entangled with systems of oppression. Since then, I have been inspired to contribute to and progress environmental justice in all aspects of my work.

Kendra Krueger (She/Her/Hers) 

Kendra is an intersectional scientist, educator, artist and woman of color on many edges. Kendra’s project, The Community Sensory Lab, seeks to empower students and community members to be environmental advocates using Do-It-Yourself sensing technology.
Connect with Kendra: LinkedIn  | Twitter  |  Instagram  

Q: Where do you find your joy?

KENDRA: I experience joy when observing the creativity of nature and the curiosity of young minds.

Q: How do you want to reimagine the STEMM landscape?

KENDRA: I wish there was more playfulness and tenderness balanced with the rigor and reliability that is required in a lot of STEMM fields. I also hope in the future there will be more dialogue on philosophy, history and challenging mainstream narratives in science within STEMM curriculums.

Q: In the words of Roxane Gay and Tressie McMillan Cottom, how can the readers and supporters help you do you?

KENDRA: Folks can contact me about donating to our Community Sensor Project or help with grant writing or pointing us to grants.

Q: What inspired you to work to radically change existing systems?

KENDRA: When I was in graduate school studying electrical engineering I was depressed. And it seemed like a lot of grad students were struggling with mental health and self-worth but it was seen as just part of the process. I was also struggling existentially with what the purpose of all this technology was. Was it really making our lives better? And was science really helping us to understand ourselves and our place in the universe any better? A lot seemed to be missing between us as scientists and the science we were partaking in. This chasm drew me in like a black hole and I’m still dancing with the light, gravity, and paradox that exists in this space.

500 Women Scientists can’t wait to support and amplify the efforts of Sara, Syrita, Janina, Jessica, and Kendra and we hope you will do the same too! Do you love what Fellowship for the Future stands for and want to support? Follow this link to do just that.

For any questions, comments, or just general notes of excitement and encouragement, feel free to reach out to the Fellowship for the Future team at fellowship@500womenscientists.org!

We’d like to give a HUGE thank you to the incredibly talented DeeLaShee Artistry, a.k.a Detroit-based artist DeAnn Wiley, who did all of the beautiful illustrations of the fellows in this piece. Check DeAnn out on Instagram @DeeLaSheeArt!