Million Women Mentors Commits 550,000 mentors to guide girls and women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Careers

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- High-level leaders from the U.S. Congress and the Administration will meet Tuesday, March 15, 2016, in the Russell Senate Office Building (Kennedy Caucus Room SR325) from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. to recognize Women's History Month and the Million Women Mentors (MWM) movement. 

At the luncheon, MWM will announce its commitment of 550,000 Mentor pledges -- out of a goal of one million mentors by 2019 -- to guide girls and women interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers. Edie Fraser, CEO of STEMconnector® and MWM, who has long championed diversity, STEM education and workforce development, has built a respected consulting and communications firm, which covers 6,600 organizations and has over 150 paying members.

One major initiative of STEMconnector® is Million Women Mentors (MWM), a movement for mentoring women in STEM careers. "This is a very important project for me," Fraser said, "and I won't stop the mentoring movement until I successfully get one million women and girls into STEM jobs."

MWM supporters are known for their dedication to mentoring girls and women seeking STEM careers and developing their interest and confidence for success in their chosen area. This well-supported program works in collaboration with more than 65 partners, 48 corporate sponsors, 35 state leadership teams, and thousands of groups and individuals interested in advancing the movement.

Balaji Ganapathy, Head of Workforce Effectiveness at Tata Consultancy Services and MWM Chair of Technology, said, "The success of MWM is a demonstration of the combined power of purpose, people and technology in removing barriers facing girls and women in STEM education and careers. We are committed to supporting partners, states and mentors across the country to inspire tomorrow's women leaders today."

The attendees at the luncheon will include over 20 Congressional and government leaders, plus corporate executives and representatives from nonprofits. Some of the leaders to attend are the following: Senators Kirsten Gillibrand  (D-NY); Bob Corker (R-TN); Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); Debbie Stabenow (D-MI); Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH); Maize Hirono (D-HI); Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH); John Boozman (R-AR); Sherrod Brown (D-OH); Cory Booker (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN); Joni Ernst (R-IA), Mike Enzi (R-WY); Bob Casey (D-PA); Congresswomen Carolyn Maloney (D-NY); Barbara Comstock (R-VA); Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL); Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN); Under Secretary of the USDA, Dr. Catherine Woteki; and Under Secretary of Commerce & Director of US Patent and Trademark Office, Director Michelle K. Lee.

SOURCE Million Women Mentors