Michelle Obama: “We Need to Clear Hurdles for Girls Pursuing Careers in Science and Math”

Michelle Obama spoke at the White House on Monday September 26, encouraging women to work in science and maths roles.

First Lady Michelle Obama spoke in the East Room of the White House yesterday, encouraging women and young girls to pursue roles in science and maths given the new rules by the National Science Foundation, allowing women and men to suspend grant research if needed due to urgent family matters.

The NSF is an independent federal agency dedicated to promoting work towards the progress of science. Michelle Obama praised the NSF at the White House, saying that they understood that both men and women should not be “penalised or lose a chance to advance in your career” due to family issues.

Mrs Obama was introduced by graduate medical student and president of the Association of Women in Science, Michelle Del Rio.

Michelle Del Rio is a prime example of what young women can achieve. Coming from a poor family in Texas, she was expected to get a job and care for her younger siblings, but instead she decided to go to college to study science and declared she was “proud to be a woman in a scientific field”.

Mrs Obama praised Michelle Del Rio’s achievements and said that it was important to help children believe they can achieve like she did.

“Today is about helping every little girl in this country to believe that she can be the next Michelle De Rio,” said Mrs Obama. “A scientist isn’t just something you hear about in biology class, our girls need to understand that our doctors and scientists are something that anyone can become no matter how much money you have or where you come from.”

Mrs Obama encouraged the public, lecturers and family members to encourage young children, especially women, to pursue an interest in science or maths from a young age. She stated that in this modern age, people can’t afford to “throw barriers” in the way of young children who have the “hunger” to pursue a career by preventing them from going to college and succeeding

“We need to educate the scientists who will make the next big discoveries that will fuel our economy for decades to come,” Mrs Obama said.

By Bethan Hâf Marsh

[Image courtesy of Barack Obama]