Women are scientists, community members, and changemakers, and together with other organizers and activists, they made a difference in our 2018 U.S. midterm elections. We saw record voter turnout and elected the most diverse Congress in history.
500 Women Scientists, with its 100+ U.S. pods and unwavering commitment to using science as a force for justice, mobilized many new “unapologetically feminist scientists” to join the wave (you know the tee we’re talking about). Members of 500 Women Scientists added their voices to the chorus calling for change in our democracy — a broader movement initiated by women of color who have led change from an intersectional feminist standpoint for years.
In 2018, women scientists reached hundreds of voters through voter registration drives, op-eds, and science policy voter guides. They also formed relationships that positioned them for long-term political engagement – getting out the midterm vote was just the beginning.
Were all of these women scientists trained in advocacy? No. But they’ll tell you that if you’re interested in getting into advocacy, a network will be there to welcome and support you, and that you can have a bigger impact than you think.
The following six individuals share how they got out the vote, what’s next for their advocacy work, and most importantly, their invitation and advice for more women scientists to claim their seats at the table.
Dr. Sarah Smaga
Biochemist and Project Manager // New Haven, CT // @sarahsmaga
How did you and the New Haven pod get out the vote?
The New Haven pod partnered with Yale Votes to register voters on National Voter Registration Day. We set up tables near science labs and helped people register, check their voter registration, and make a plan to vote. We also handed out “STEMVotes” pins in early November to remind people about voting and offered rides to the polls on Election Day.
What was the impact?
We noticed that most of the scientists we talked to were registered, but had questions about how, when, or where to vote. Many were surprised to hear that Connecticut has no early or mail-in voting, and very limited absentee voting options. Going forward, I hope 500 Women Scientists New Haven will be part of the effort to reform elections in Connecticut to make voting easier and more accessible for everyone.
We noticed that most of the scientists we talked to were registered, but had questions about how, when, or where to vote.
Why was it important to you to get out the vote?
This project was important to me because I know there can be a lot of subtle pressures not to vote: from the practical annoyance of adding “voting” to a long to-do list to a false sense of objectivity that separates science and scientists from the world we inhabit. But democracy only works if we all stand up and make ourselves heard.
What is your advice for other women scientists interested in advocacy?
Identify an issue you’re passionate about and what changes you want to see. Find a group that shares your goals or values, and get involved! As women, scientists, and so much more, we contribute valuable skills and perspectives.
As women, scientists, and so much more, we contribute valuable skills and perspectives.
Dr. Liz McCullagh
Auditory Neuroscientist // Fort Collins, CO // @ZaarlyLiz
How did you and the Fort Collins pod get out the vote?
Colorado had the longest ballot during the midterms this year than any other state, including many ballot initiatives. Our pod put together a local Fort Collins voter guide which we then disseminated via Twitter and Facebook.
Colorado had the longest ballot during the midterms this year of any other state, including many ballot initiatives.
Why was it personally important to you to get out the vote?
The midterm elections often have less voter turnout, and this year there were many local initiatives that might have been overlooked if people didn’t vote. In particular, Larimer county finally passed a bill this midterm that allowed building a new mental health facility, something that previously did not get enough votes but was sorely needed in our community.
What role can pods like yours play in local communities, even outside of election cycles?
I think distilling often complex issues into a more understandable format, while maintaining scientific integrity is important both to stress the importance of science and the scientific method but also to increase awareness and education of complex issues.
What would you tell other women scientists who would like to get involved in advocacy?
It’s not as hard as it seems! Pick something you are passionate about, create a support group of other women interested in the same issues, and tackle something small and approachable (like a voter guide) as a first step. Reach out to your local and state representatives. They, more than anyone else, represent YOU. They should be interested in your comments and concerns. Gather a group of friends and a shared concern and schedule a meeting.
Gather a group of friends and a shared concern and schedule a meeting.
Allison Hutchings
Aerospace Engineer // Washington, DC (formerly San Diego, CA) // @iamallisonhutch
How did you and the San Diego pod get out the vote?
We created STEM policy voter guides for a number of local and national races relevant to our region and to women in STEM in particular. I worked closely with Christa Trexler, our pod leader, to bring this idea to fruition by emailing, tweeting, calling, and meeting with candidates.
What was the impact?
We published seven voter guides, which were seen on Twitter and Facebook by hundreds of viewers. We also got to talk about the effort and 500WS to a panel held at the UCSD School of Public Policy called “Science and Politics: A GPS Science Policy Fellows Roundtable Event.”
Why was it personally important to you to get out the vote?
I know I did not do the best job paying attention to what was going on in public policy relevant to STEM when I was in school or when I had just started working, but it is really important! Many of our professions (like mine of Aerospace Engineering) train us to put our heads down and that “science is not political,” but when policy refuses to use science to inform its decision making that is really harmful!
Many of our professions (like mine of Aerospace Engineering) train us to put our heads down and that “science is not political.”
How has your science advocacy work impacted your career? (Congrats on the new position!)
Yes! I just started a year-long program in Washington, DC as a Congressional Innovation Fellow with TechCongress. As they discuss in their mission “by 2020, technology will touch virtually all areas of life and every issue before Congress,” so the goal of the program is to give technologists an experience in federal policymaking and perhaps let them shape the future of tech policy.
Though this was expected going in, the transition from San Diego and Engineering to Washington DC and Public Policy is pretty wild! I am having a blast because I am learning new things every day.
Heather Currey
Neuroscientist // Seattle, WA // @heather_currey
How did you and the Seattle pod get out the vote?
The Seattle pod focused on supporting local initiatives that were aligned with our progressive goals, such as I1631, which would have instituted a carbon fee, and I940, which aimed to decrease police brutality. We supported these initiatives throughout the year by gathering signatures, writing position pieces, and otherwise lending our voices to their causes.
What was the impact?
While it’s very hard to know what difference we, as Seattle 500 Women Scientists, made, it felt meaningful to be part of these awesome organizations and I learned so much from being on the ground with them. I940 passed and I hope that we will see how changing the language around policing responsibility positively affects our communities. I don’t think we will end police brutality immediately, but this initiative has a real potential to save lives.
Unfortunately the carbon fee bill I1630 did not pass statewide, but it did get the majority of the Seattle vote. We are now actively using that information to inform our next steps towards making Seattle a more sustainable city for all its people.
What’s next for your local advocacy work?
One of the projects I’m most excited about is changing public transit in Seattle. We have joined a coalition of organizations allied to make commuting in Seattle sustainable for all Seattleites. That means improving the bus systems, getting more people onto trains, improving and expanding bike lanes, getting our sidewalks and greenways to be ADA accessible, and so much more. Our role in the coalition is to provide a link between climate change and social policy. This project aligns so many of my personal interests to create real sustainable change for my communities and I can’t wait to see where this project goes and how it shapes Seattle into an even more beautiful place to live.
What would you tell other women scientists who would like to get involved in advocacy?
Find people who will be angry alongside you. The cathartic rage I have shared with the women of the Seattle pod has directed and inspired me in such a beautifully powerful way. I owe so much to this network of supportive ladies. Our anger unites us, pushes us forward and gives us power.
Our anger unites us, pushes us forward and gives us power.
Dr. JoEllen McBride
Astrophysicist and Science Communicator // Philadelphia, PA // @astrophyspunkin
How did you and the Philadelphia pod get out the vote?
I organized our voter guide effort and posted it to our website. Four of us wrote up the questions and I reached out to the Senate, Congress, Governor and local state and house candidates for members of our pod.
What were the results?
We now have some connections with candidates and hope to leverage those during the coming years. I’m also organizing a meeting with nearby pods to try to create a unified message on policy for the Mid-Atlantic region.
How has your experience as a parent impacted or informed your advocacy work?
I was active in politics before my daughters were born, but I think they have instilled a greater sense of urgency. I want them to live in a world that isn’t destroyed by climate change and where everyone has easy access to opportunities that allow them to live their best lives.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
It is important that we advocate for inclusive policy and that our elected officials represent the diverse makeup of their constituency. All people have the right to health care, education, transportation, food, water, shelter, internet, and anything else that is necessary to live in our current society — we have to make sure policy never takes away or restricts those things.
I want [my daughters] to live in a world that isn’t destroyed by climate change and where everyone has easy access to opportunities that allow them to live their best lives.
Dr. Artemis “Dyanna” Louyakis
Astrobiologist // Storrs, CT // @dyanna27
How did you and the Storrs pod get out the vote?
During the 2018 election season, we ran voter registration drives on the UConn campus, multiple local farmers’ markets, and in joint efforts with NAACP and Boricua Vota in underrepresented communities, as well as focused efforts in a local drug recovery center. We multiplied our impact by leading many voter registration trainings.
We also got a feel for the types of science-based issues our local communities were facing and how our candidates planned to address those issues. To that effort, we joined with the New Haven Pod to write a list of candidate questions and send the list to every candidate in Connecticut with an email address. This was one of the most enlightening actions of the election cycle, and efforts are underway to get our 2020 questions ready as new candidates join the races.
Why was it personally important to you to get out the vote?
I’ve spent the majority of my adult life in public service. Throughout that time, I’ve seen, firsthand, the impact that voting can have on our nation. As we move towards allowing more disinformation to creep into election rhetoric, it’s more important than ever to make sure that our candidates and legislation at every level are driven by science and facts. After serving my country in the military and years of federal and state funded research, I believe that a knowledgeable, voting public is the best way to secure our future.
After serving my country in the military and years of federal and state funded research, I believe that a knowledgeable, voting public is the best way to secure our future.
What advice do you have for other women scientists who are interested in getting involved in advocacy?
I would suggest reaching out to other nonpartisan groups, like NAACP, ACLU, SPLC, and PPFA, because they can often utilize voices of scientists in their advocacy. This method will allow you to learn from some of the most effective leaders in your area and help you to grow your own advocacy work at a pace that you can feel good about.
Anything else you want to share?
I’m extremely proud of our pod members and the increased engagement they had during this election cycle. Many were doing their nonpartisan 500WS work, as well as engaging in additional election related activities outside of our group. The last thing I’ll add is that the 500WS GoTV team did an amazing job across the country. Members from multiple pods stayed in contact and helped to keep each other from burning out. The added excitement that can come from communicating with people who believe in your mission should not be understated. I hope that we’re able to grow our GoTV community for 2020!
The added excitement that can come from communicating with people who believe in your mission should not be understated.
Read more stories from women in STEM advocacy here.
Editor’s note: the introduction to this article was edited on January 20, 2019 to acknowledge the long-standing political activism of Women of Color.