AAUW honors women in STEM all summer long

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. – Women in STEM are important pioneers in our community. The American Association of University Women teamed up with Nola Brantley Library in Warner Robins to honor women who paved the way with a display of Barbie dolls in the entryway.

AAUW President Wilhemenia Jackson Sibley said they got the inspiration to make the display when Barbie released a series of dolls inspired by STEM women.

The organization asked the Houston County Library Director Sarah Paulk if they could make the display and put it at any library in the county. Paulk thought the Nola Brantley Memorial Library would be a good fit for the display to be featured.

The display includes many iconic women like Astronaut Sally Ride, Aviator Pilot Amelia Earhart, Scientist Jane Goodall, Florence Nightingale who was involved in the medicine field, Mathematician Katherine Johnson and aviator Bessie Coleman who was the first Black and Hispanic aviator.

Sibley added that they also added Madam CJ Walker who was a chemist and product developer, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt who was a strong advocate for science and Civil Rights Activist Rosa Parks. They also wanted to include women in the arts and added Poet and Writer Maya Angelou to the display.

It also includes books written by women that encourage young girls to fearlessly be involved in STEM. The organization hopes this display inspires young girls by learning about prominent figures and reading the books.

“We just would like to encourage all young ladies, girls and young ladies, to get into the STEM or STEAM programs at their local schools and the sky’s the limit of what they can do and what they can become,” said Sibley.

The display is located right as visitors walk through the door and it will for sure catch their attention. Sibley said it will be up all summer long. Since the organization serves both Houston county and Peach County, they are working on moving it to a Peach County library at the end of the summer.

The AAUW is a local organization and their branch focuses on engagement and education. Sibley said learning is an achievement that begins at an early age and supports education efforts from Pre-K all the way to college.

Sibley said the organization currently provides free books at two Cherished Children Education Centers in Warner Robins and encourages children to build a home library at a very young age. They also select a local elementary school to spread their message; this year they did it at Westside Elementary School.

If anyone is interested in this organization or would like to receive more information, they can contact Sibley at (478) 397-3223.

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