The Inspiring Journey of Women at Caltech
The auditorium brimmed with hundreds of high school girls from around the country, all enamored with a YouTube idol they aspired to imitate.
Before them stood Katie Bouman, an associate professor in computing and mathematical sciences, electrical engineering, and astronomy at Caltech in Pasadena. She captivated the audience by showcasing groundbreaking images of a black hole encircled by a fiery halo. In 2022, Bouman co-led a team of over 300 researchers from 80 institutions to capture the first-ever image of the supermassive black hole situated at the heart of the Milky Way galaxy.
High school girls head to a lecture about black holes at Caltech.
(Ringo Chiu/For The Times)
Bouman’s lecture was part of Caltech’s Women in STEM initiative, aimed at showcasing prominent female scientists to inspire young girls to envision themselves in prestigious scientific fields often dominated by men. The results of this concerted effort are evident.
For the first time in its 133-year history, more than half of Caltech’s entering undergraduate class this fall will be women. The class consists of 113 women and 109 men, marking a significant achievement since the first women were admitted to Caltech in 1970.
“This means that young women can view us as a place that truly represents them and their experiences,” said Ashley Pallie, dean of admissions. “They can grow, thrive, and make incredible contributions as scientists and engineers in this research-intensive field.”
Scientist Katie Bouman, who played a pivotal role in capturing the first black hole image, inspires high school girls.
(Ringo Chiu/For The Times)
Gloria L. Blackwell, CEO of the American Association of University Women, praised Caltech’s milestone as crucial progress in bridging the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Despite women earning around 60% of degrees in biological sciences, they only account for about 18% in computer science and 20% in engineering, Blackwell noted.
Research indicates that boys do not possess inherent advantages in math and science over girls, yet societal messages often deter young women, particularly Latinas and Black girls, from pursuing these fields due to systemic discrimination and limited access to role models, resources, and opportunities.
While Caltech is not the first institution to achieve gender parity in STEM, it’s following in the footsteps of Harvey Mudd College, which became a leader in diversity efforts, enrolling more female than male students for the first time in 2010. Today, Harvey Mudd boasts over 50% female participation in computer science, engineering, and mathematical fields.
At UC Berkeley, approximately half of students in STEM majors identify as women or nonbinary, though their representation significantly differs across fields, with more than two-thirds in biological sciences compared to a mere one-third in engineering and mathematics.
Caltech has expanded its Women in STEM program, hosting 500 high school girls this month.
(Ringo Chiu/For The Times)
The Long Journey to Gender Parity
For Caltech, a prestigious institution home to 2,400 students, 47 Nobel laureates, and more than 50 research centers, the quest for gender equality has been a lengthy process. Women were only admitted in 1970, amidst rising calls for gender equality, and shortly before the enactment of Title IX of the Higher Education Act, which forbids discrimination based on sex in any federally funded educational program.
Louise Kirkbride, a member of that pioneering class, deeply desired to attend Caltech. Scouted by the institution, she made her way to Pasadena without her parents’ support. Caltech officials welcomed her with a full scholarship, helping her gain independence as a minor.
“Caltech seemed like the hardest school to get into, which made it irresistible,” Kirkbride reflected. She went on to found several venture-capital startups and currently serves as a trustee at Caltech.
On her first day, however, she faced challenging remarks from male students and professors, all of which served as a harsh reminder of the biases against women. Yet, the kindness of Professor Carver Mead provided her with the support she needed to thrive and pursue a successful career as an electrical engineer.
Graduate student Radhika Bhatt guides high school girls through a lab during the Women in STEM program at Caltech.
(Ringo Chiu/For The Times)
Professor Mead, now 90 and still active as a professor emeritus, has always championed women in science. He recalls pushing back against the negative stereotypes that women would be outnumbered and eventually leave to start families. His experiences encouraged his colleagues to reconsider their biases, ultimately allowing women to enroll at Caltech.
By the time Bouman arrived at Caltech as a faculty member in 2019, significant changes had occurred. Growing up in Indiana, she was encouraged to develop her talent in science and math. However, as an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, she often felt isolated in her field. “Those feelings can creep in, but I tried to focus on my goals,” Bouman remarked.
She excelled academically, graduated summa cum laude, and completed her doctorate at MIT, where she began her groundbreaking work in black hole imaging. By 2019, she had helped create the code for the world’s first black hole image, becoming an unexpected symbol of the project, which resonated widely on social media.
“I never set out to be a role model, but I see the importance of representation,” Bouman shared after her lecture, recounting how a student approached her and declared, “You’re my dream scientist!”
Leah Cevallos, a high school senior from West Sacramento, found Bouman’s achievements incredibly motivating. “I often see science journals dominated by men, so witnessing Bouman’s accomplishments was refreshing,” she said.
Michelle Effros, Caltech’s first female faculty member in the electrical engineering department, highlighted the necessity of visibility and representation in fields like STEM to attract passionate individuals who can significantly impact science and technology.
Dean Pallie has expanded the Women in STEM program from 250 to 500 girls, extending it to two days for a more in-depth experience. She aims to communicate explicitly that while Caltech is challenging, it is also a unique space for ready and driven individuals. Consequently, applications have surged from 8,000 pre-pandemic to 14,000, with admission rates plummeting to 3.14%.
Despite these advancements, Pallie acknowledges there is still work ahead. “We aim to make this an ingrained part of Caltech’s identity, ensuring that young women see themselves as integral members of this community,” she stated.
Looking Forward
Even as women increasingly enter STEM fields, they largely remain underrepresented in the workforce. While women hold nearly 45% of STEM degrees, they constitute only about 28% of the workforce in these areas, as highlighted by Blackwell from the American Association of University Women. Many women face challenges in predominantly masculine cultures, and some choose to leave the field due to discrimination.
On the Women in STEM day at Caltech, the focus was on aspirations in scientific research and innovations. Miranda Li, a senior passionate about astrophysics, envisions a future where she contributes significant advancements in her field. For Veronika Voss, part of the historic class with a majority of women, Caltech signifies a dream where passion meets purpose, cementing her choice for her future studies.
“Coming to campus and meeting 500 like-minded women made me realize this is a real place where I can pursue my passions,” Voss expressed, reinforcing the impact of such initiatives on young women’s lives.
