We should all know what STEM stands for by now, it is an education program that was developed to prepare primary and secondary students for college and graduate study in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM is not always saved for everyone. The percentage of African American women who earned a Ph.D. in computer science is 0.34% and for engineering, it is 0.58%. To shake up the industry involving STEM and of other women to follow in their footsteps. Here are the five top black women in STEM careers

• Aprille J. Ericsson, Ph.D. – She is an Aerospace Engineer, deputy instrument manager for the ATLAS instrument team at NASA. Ms. Ericsson gained her Master of Engineering and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering in aerospace from Howard University. Prior to that, she earned a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical/astronautical engraining from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
• Ashanti Johnson, Ph.D. – She is a Chemist and works as an aquatic radiochemist. She earned her bachelor’s degree in marine science and a Ph.D. in chemical oceanography both from Texas A&M University. President Barack Obama recognized Ms. Johnson’s hard work of her professional development activities for underrepresentation minorities and was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. She has helped over 159 students achieve a Ph.D. in earth systems science since she is the executive dictator if the Institute of Broadening Participation.
• Tanya Moore, Ph.D. –  She is a mathematician, her job is to help close achievement gaps between white, black, and Latino students in Berkeley, California by 2020. She received her Ph.D. in biostatics and encourage other women of color to have confidence when doing the math.
• Lisette Titre –  She is a computer animator, that usually works in-house on her projects have managed to gain teams of outsourced artists all over the world like China, Australia, and Canada. Ms. Titre got a degree in computer animation from Miami International University of Art and Design. She hopes that she can change members of Blacks in games especially women.
• Treena Livingston Arinzeh, Ph.D. – She is a biomedical engineer and received her master’s in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and Ph.D. in bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania. She was presented with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers by President George W. Bush in 2004.

These women have accomplished so much and still pursuing their careers. They highly encourage other women to pursue a passion in STEM because there are not many of us in the industry. I am also being encouraged to learn more and get more degrees in my field so that I can make a voice for other black women that are out there having a hard time being encouraged.