Press Release
Firm Serves as Only Law Firm Partner for Million Women Mentors Movement
Press Release
Press Contacts: Erik Cummins, Matt Hyams, Olivia Thomas
03.15.17
WASHINGTON, DC—Today on Capitol Hill, 18 senators will join representatives from top companies to celebrate Women’s History Month and recognize the success of the STEMconnector’s Million Women Mentors (MWM) initiative. Pillsbury Real Estate partner and Chair Emeritus Jim Rishwain will introduce Senator Kamala Harris, who is slated to speak at the event. Additionally, as a key sponsor of MWM and the project’s only law firm sponsor, Pillsbury will host the organization’s Leadership Council meeting and a networking reception at its Washington, DC office, following the Senate luncheon. Pillsbury is committed to the inclusion and advancement of women, and the firm often partners with businesses to help advance diversity in their industries.
“Congress and public officials in our states recognize the importance of moving the needle for opportunities for women and girls toward great jobs in STEM,” said Edie Fraser, CEO of STEMconnector and MWM. “We are proving that we can advance women and girls for great careers through mentoring and support.”
Launched in January 2014, MWM’s mission is to support mentoring relationships in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in an effort to increase the numbers and ranks of girls and women in these sectors. MWM announced ahead of today’s Senate Luncheon that it has secured more than 1.7 million pledges from mentors thus far.
Today’s events salute the MWM movement with participation from 87 private- and public-sector partners, 40 U.S. states and honorary chairpersons, including several governors and lieutenant governors. Other Senators expected to attend include Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Michael Bennet (CO), Bob Corker (TN), Debbie Stabenow (MI), Maize Hirono (HI), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), John Boozman (AR), Bob Casey (PA), Cory Booker (NJ), Marco Rubio (FL) Maggie Hassan (NH), Jeff Merkley (OR), Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD), Chris Coons (DE), Heidi Heitkamp (ND) and Joni Ernst (IA).
About Million Women Mentors(MWM)
Million Women Mentors is a massive movement, supporting the engagement of millions of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) mentors (female and male) to increase the interest and confidence of girls and women to persist and succeed in STEM programs and careers. MWM is an initiative of STEMconnector in collaboration with over 87 partners reaching over 30 million girls and women, 60 corporate sponsors, and 40 state leadership teams.
About STEMconnector®
STEMconnector® is a consortium of companies, associations, societies, policy organizations, government entities, universities and academic institutions concerned with STEM education and the future of human capital. With several products and services, STEMconnector® is both a resource and a service, designed to link “all things STEM.” STEMconnector’s network includes organizations at the global, national, state and local levels. STEMconnector® focuses on the STEM workforce and jobs, with a particular emphasis on diversity and women. Our work spans the entire pipeline (Kindergarten to Jobs) and how STEM education experiences translate into careers. To learn more, visit www.STEMconnector.org.