500 Women Scientists has launched the Fellowship for the Future to recognize and amplify the crucial role of women of color in science, technology, engineering, math and medicine (STEMM). We consider this fellowship necessary for building environments where women from all backgrounds can thrive and be supported, so that our future is one where equity, inclusion, and social justice are integrated into our STEMM communities. We consider this fellowship necessary to support the future and we do so by having this fellowship be FOR women of color, BY women of color!
We seek to support women of color who are leading community-based STEMM projects that align with the mission of 500 Women Scientists and are focused on increasing equity, inclusion, and/or social justice in STEMM. The fellows' projects aim to make science open and accessible in order to fight structural racism, patriarchy and other forms of oppression.
During these past 2+ years, despite the covid-19 pandemic, we have supported nine amazing women of color, providing them with funding, training, information, and resources, as well as regular check-ins with each fellow. Our program is informed by three pillars:
Development of a personal justice-oriented mentoring network, including a safe space to build resiliency.
Development of advocacy skills on behalf of self and diverse populations.
Brand development to be able to leverage personal brand for success while being purposeful in communications.
Meet the Fellowship Program Team
Paula Astudillo: Director of Fellowship for the FutUre
Paula (she/her/ella) is a sociologist, organizer and activist who has worked in nonprofit organizations, international and public agencies, while actively participating in social and political movements, in Chile and Michigan. She is passionate about educational equity, gender equity, youth empowerment, environmental justice, and building the popular power of oppressed communities. Before joining 500 Women Scientists, she worked in the Research, Analysis, and Evaluation Office of Detroit Public School Community District.
Toni Mosley: Program Manager
Toni (she/her) grew up infatuated with animals, hoping to follow in the footsteps of Steve Irwin. Once a zookeeper (specializing in operant conditioning training and behavior analysis) she noticed a lack of black & brown voices in the field & decided to dedicate her efforts towards breaking down racial and gender barriers within the community
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Proudly, we can share that our first cohort of fellows have completed their projects, while our second cohort are finalizing year 2 of their fabulous projects! Learn more about our fellows and their projects here.
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“The Fellowship for the Future Program has opened a lot of doors for my project team. Financially, it helped support us by giving us the resources we needed to compensate contractors and purchase necessary data files. Additionally, through the fellowship's workshops we connected with Jordan Scruggs from Let's Talk Consulting on web design. Lastly, the fellowship's workshops have pushed me to think deeply on the equity aspects of this community driven research project. The workshops were invaluable tools that allowed us to set up contract work and network with other women of color. ~Jessica Tran
“The fellowship program has supported by covering some of the student costs -- transportation, uniforms, and food.” ~Syrita Steib
“The fellowship funds allowed me to publish my website as well as pay a local native artist to design our logo. Additionally, the funds helped me purchase a camera that I otherwise could not afford on my own and that has helped me create content for the website as well as informational blogs and resources I create. The fellowship has also opened me to a new world of STEM and opportunities to connect, learn and share with Women of Color in science which is both inspiring and enriching. “ ~ Rose Bear Don’t Walk