Mary Kay Inc. recently celebrated its largest Women in STEM Day at the Richard R. Rogers Manufacturing and Research & Development Center (R3) in Lewisville, Texas, welcoming nearly 100 sophomore girls from the Lewisville Independent School District (LISD). The event aimed to inspire young women to explore STEM careers by providing them with hands-on experiences, mentorship, and exposure to the exciting world of scientific innovation.
The event featured a series of interactive sessions designed to ignite curiosity and expand students’ understanding of the diverse career opportunities within STEM fields. Key highlights included a tour of the state-of-the-art R3 facility, a hands-on “Create Your Own Lip Gloss” lab, and mentor-led panels that emphasized the importance of women in STEM.
Dr. Lucy Gildea, Chief Brand and Scientific Officer at Mary Kay, expressed her commitment to unlocking the potential of young women in science, stating, “Equipping young women with the confidence, tools, and knowledge to pursue STEM is transformative. These brilliant minds will reshape industries and bring fresh perspectives to both beauty and science.”
Students participated in three cornerstone experiences that allowed them to gain real-world insights into STEM careers:
Following the event, a post-event survey revealed a profound shift in students’ perceptions of STEM careers. 94% of students reported a positive impact from seeing women in STEM roles, and 70% of them felt that the event greatly expanded their career possibilities. 91% of students recognized that STEM careers in cosmetics extend beyond sales and marketing.
Students were especially inspired by the diversity of career paths within the company, with many expressing surprise at the wide range of roles beyond engineering, such as product testing, research, and business operations.
This Women in STEM Day marks a significant effort by Mary Kay to break down barriers and promote gender equality in science and innovation. According to UNESCO, women represent only 35% of students in STEM-related fields globally, highlighting the need for initiatives like this to bridge the gender gap in these industries.
Lindsay Ayers, Administrator of Business Partnerships at LISD, emphasized the importance of partnerships like the one with Mary Kay in offering students real-world STEM experiences that help build confidence and skills for future success.
The event left a lasting impact on both students and the mentors who volunteered their time. Laura Reinschmidt, Manager of Process Development & Commercialization, shared, “It’s meaningful to be part of something that’s changing the opportunities for young girls. It’s powerful for them to see just how many possibilities are out there in STEM.”
Geetha Kalahasti, Associate Principal Scientist, added, “It’s inspiring to see how this experience impacted the students. It was rewarding to help guide them and show them the potential they have in these fields.”
Mary Kay is proud of its 62% female global R&D team, championing young women who aspire to lead in STEM fields. By hosting events like Women in STEM Day, Mary Kay continues to demonstrate its dedication to diversity, empowerment, and education for the next generation of innovators.
Founded in 1963 by Mary Kay Ash, Mary Kay Inc. has broken glass ceilings and enriched women’s lives by offering meaningful opportunities in the beauty industry. Today, Mary Kay continues to be a leader in empowering women in business, science, and leadership.
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