Empowering Young Women at the Women of Pittsburgh Event
Caelyn Murray, a senior at Chartiers Valley High School, orchestrated this year’s Women of Pittsburgh event with the ambition to inspire her fellow students to envision ambitious futures.
“I hope they gain a fresh perspective and expand their aspirations regarding their career paths,” remarked Murray.
“There is an incredible array of opportunities available for young women that they may not have previously considered.”
The event took place on Friday, March 7, just a day before International Women’s Day, and successfully engaged 130 students.
Interactive Learning Experience
Participants were divided into groups and rotated through five different stations, where they listened to and engaged with guest speakers from diverse professions.
Featured presenters included:
- Dr. Kayleigh Mort, a dentist
- Anastasia Markiw, project manager at DesignGroup
- Rachel Casper, a medical student
- Christina Debski, systems engineer
- Caroline DeFrank, senior accountant for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Dr. Mort highlighted the abundant possibilities for women, especially in the STEM fields. “Many do not realize how many opportunities exist for them,” she said.
Mort also emphasized the value of female mentorship. “If I can serve as a mentor or inspire even one young woman, it brings me great fulfillment,” she expressed.
Building Future Leaders
Murray has her sights set on attending Robert Morris University to pursue studies in manufacturing and mechanical engineering. She credits her experience working alongside applied engineering and technology instructors Charles Barber and Chris Sherman for shaping her leadership skills and teamwork abilities.
“They have motivated me to strive for excellence,” Murray noted.
Junior Laura Noguiera echoed the sentiment about the importance of representation. “Meeting successful women and seeing them as role models makes pursuing these careers feel more attainable,” she shared.
“While STEAM careers tend to be male-dominated, it shouldn’t deter women from these paths. This event solidifies that we have representation, and if they can achieve it, so can we.”
