Massachusetts is leading the charge in innovation with incubators supporting startups, drug manufacturers developing lifesaving treatments, and technology companies using AI for solutions in various sectors. Women in government are promoting innovation and preparing a future workforce. Gov. Maura Healey focuses on AI, climate tech, and robotics, establishing a Climate Tech Initiative, an AI Task Force, and renewing the life sciences initiative. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll chairs the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council, and Attorney General Andrea Campbell provides AI guidance, providing creators with the clarity needed to thrive in the industry.

In Massachusetts, 21% of the workforce is in STEM fields, higher than the national average of 14%. STEM jobs are projected to grow by 7.2% by 2028, making up 40% of the state’s employment growth. However, despite efforts for diversity,female employees are significantly underrepresented in STEM careers across the western Massachusetts region, with less than 3% of female workers in a STEM field, which is less than half of the statewide rate of 4.8%. These inequities are more pronounced when race is factored in. Only 1.4% of Black women and 0.7% of Latina women hold careers in STEM in the region.

Promoting STEM education, especially to underrepresented populations, is crucial. Massachusetts has many organizations dedicated to this cause. The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, the region’s only philanthropy for gender equity, supports STEM education and leadership training for women, girls, gender-diverse people, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). Since 1996, our goal has been to advance gender equity and fund critical work by providing grants to nonprofits, publishing research, and developing the leadership of women and girls. Our fund has awarded over $6 million in grants to more than 150 nonprofit organizations supporting more than 3 million women and their families and trained 280 adult women through our leadership development programming.

We’ve been proud to support the Flying Cloud Institute, providing STEAM programming to over 2,000 youth and educators annually. Recognizing the societal barriers for women in STEM, Flying Cloud Institute focuses on female-identifying students in rural Berkshire County and urban Pittsfield, offering engaging activities that support students’ interest in STEAM subjects and opportunities to interact with women STEM professionals.

Additionally, the Springfield Young Women’s Initiative (YWI) centers Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) who are women-identifying, trans, or gender-expansive young leaders from the Greater Springfield and Greenfield areas. Youth committee members participate in leadership development and social justice programming to identify barriers, consider solutions for change, and decide how to award grant funds in their community.

Girls’ leadership is essential for our evolving economy and society. A diverse workforce, especially in STEM, will keep Massachusetts at the forefront of innovation. Achieving this requires a top-down approach from government officials, community organizations, and individual leaders. Organizations like the Women’s Fund of Western MA play a crucial role by supporting local students and partners, ensuring everyone has the tools to succeed. It’s time for all of us to get on board.

Kelley Bryant is the director of research and advocacy at the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts. She leads the Women’s Fund’s advocacy efforts and manages research projects such as the Economic Security Hub and the Status of Gender Equity in Western Massachusetts.