Norah Shire: What’s really moved the needle for women in STEM
Norah Shire, Vice President, Global Medical, GU/GYN Franchise Head at AstraZeneca, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“This year marks the 10-year anniversary of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, and I’m thinking about what’s really moved the needle for women in STEM. It’s not just about ticking boxes, it’s about creating real, lasting change. This year’s theme, “Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science” underscores the critical need to not only amplify the voices and experiences of women shaping the world of science but also to create concrete pathways for their continued success.
For me, it boils down to three things:
Sparking that Lifelong Flame: We need to get girls excited about science early on. Not just memorizing facts but truly experiencing the wonder of discovery. Think hands-on experiments, inspiring role models, and a culture that celebrates curiosity. Watching my daughter explore her budding interest in physics reinforces how important it is to create these kinds of nurturing environments for all girls to ignite lifelong passion. I have always loved science—my parents nurtured this by humoring my requests for dissection kits in elementary school, and providing as many library books as I wanted. We need to show girls the real-world impact a STEM career can have – because science changes lives.
The Power of Lifting Each Other Up Throughout Our Careers: I’ve been lucky enough to have incredible mentors throughout my career – both men and women – who saw my potential and championed me. When I was a field representative with P&G, one of my academic physician customers saw something different in me and invited me to conduct research with him. This led to a master’s, then a PhD, then the rest of my career! Now, I’m paying it forward by mentoring the next generation of scientific leaders at AstraZeneca. It’s not just about climbing the ladder; it’s about reaching down and pulling others up to join you.
Building a Tribe: Beyond mentorship, developing strong networks is crucial. Connecting with other women in the field creates a sense of belonging, a safe space to share experiences, swap advice, and open doors for each other. We need more women at the table, in the labs and leading the research teams because diversity of thought and perspective is crucial for advancing innovation.
By investing our collective efforts in these areas, we can create a powerful ecosystem of support that empowers women to thrive at every stage of their STEM careers. To all the women and girls in science, or those thinking about joining us: your voice, your passion, your perspective – it all matters. The future of science is inclusive, and it’s brighter with you in it.”
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