Be Wonder Women

Appeared in the Idaho State Journal on July 22, 2014

Lynda Carter’s 53^rd birthday is this week. Lynda’s 1970’s TV role of Wonder Woman is credited as being one of the first role models of a strong and courageous woman for girls of my generation. She fought bad guys, solved problems, and worked diligently on her own and with other do-gooders.

No caption needed.

Lynda in concert last fall. I like to let people
know OFTEN that I SAW HER IN PERSON!

A friend of mine, Jessica Owens, is holding a day camp for girls ages 8 to 11 today. She wants it to be one that all of their brothers will envy when often it’s the opposite. She is planning a day of experiments and exploration, instilling a joy in learning something new. She’s going for “uninhibited excitement about the process of discovery.”  I’m sorry, was that 8 to 11? So, I can’t come then?

She wants them to end their day knowing, without a doubt, that science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can be a rewarding career path. Throughout the day she is sharing thoughts from women whose lives have been enriched by a love of STEM and asked if I might share some thoughts. I’d love to!

I always liked math as a kid because I got it. It was easy and enjoyable until I got to geometry.  That required a different way of thinking for me, and I had to work my brain in new ways, but I did it.

I signed up for Advanced Placement (AP) Physics my senior year of high school. The class was hard. Miserable in fact, and seemingly impossible to balance with student council, volleyball and band.  I petitioned to drop it, but my principal, Dr. Carole McWilliam, wouldn’t let me. During a one-on-one she said firmly, “You are a smart young lady who can handle it, and I’m not going to let you think that when it gets hard you can just quit. Forget it. Now go on because I’m sure you’ve got some studying to do.”

I tell this story all the time and have thanked Dr. McWilliam on numerous occasions. Her encouragement-slash-scolding stayed with me.

A couple years later in college, I was a walk-on for the Idaho State volleyball team while majoring in engineering. At the beginning of my sophomore year, one of my professors told me that I should consider a different major if I insisted on “this volleyball foolishness.”  I didn’t argue with him, complain or take him to the Dean, I went to work. I earned a 98% for my final grade and through that experience I learned how right Dr. McWilliam was.

I AM a smart, young (youngish now) lady and I can handle it.

I graduated with my engineering degree when I was 23 years old, was hired by a company two weeks later and have been in the tech sector since.  I like that I solve problems and puzzles for a living, and it doesn’t hurt one bit that the averages salaries for STEM careers are among the highest.

Lynda Carter along with Dr. McWilliam were inspiring Wonder Women and so is my friend Jessica. There are Wonder Women (and Super Men) all around to encourage, nudge, and illustrate that we—YOU—can be Wonder Women, too.