Minerva Cordero, Pamela Padilla, and Manuela Murillo Sánchez are leaving their mark in the STEM world. All three women were inspired to enter the STEM field by their families.
Cordero is Professor of Mathematics and Senior Associate Dean of the College of Science at the University of Texas at Arlington. Padilla is the Dean of the College of Science at the University of North Texas and Murillo Sánchez recently graduated from Southern Methodist University with a degree in math and engineering.
Although women make up nearly half of the US workforce, they only make up about 27% of the STEM professionals and employees, according to the US Census Bureau. In addition, although Hispanic or Latin American women make up almost 7% of the workforce, they make up just under 2% of all STEM workers nationwide, according to the census.
The two educators were once first-generation students. About 27% of first-generation students are Hispanic or Latino.
Cordero was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she attended a public school. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico and later earned a master’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a PhD from the University of Iowa.
All three women are making strides in STEM. They inspire and motivate young Latinas every day to reach for the stars and never give up on their dreams.
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