The U.S. Department of State hosted 41 international women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for the 2022 “Hidden No More: Empowering Women Leaders in STEM” International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) special initiative. Inspired by the award-winning film Hidden Figures, this exchange initiative addresses the barriers to advancement that women face in the STEM fields, while highlighting the importance of storytelling and creating a network of women leaders.
This year, the Hidden No More participants began their exchange program in Washington, D.C. with an inspiring welcome video from 2019 alumnae. They also met with professional counterparts committed to empowering women and girls in the STEM fields from National Geographic, the National Academies of Science and Medicine (NASEM), and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (APL), among others.
Following the Washington, D.C. program, the participants divided into smaller groups and traveled to Huntsville, Alabama; Orlando, Florida; Pensacola, Florida; St. Petersburg, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Durham, North Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina to connect with their American counterparts and share their experiences and stories with the local communities.
During these city visits, the participants learned more about American culture and customs. Amid their busy schedules, many of the women were invited to participate in Halloween “trick-or-treating” for the first time. This was a great opportunity to experience the excitement and the American traditions associated with this spooky celebration. The participants also attended home hospitality dinners where they were able to meet and speak candidly with local families and meet other local community members.
The IVLP participants reunited in Los Angeles, California to conclude their intensive, three-week exchange with professional programming and a visit to the Walt Disney Studios. As a collaborator and supporter of the Hidden No More IVLP, the Walt Disney Company provided a behind-the-scenes look into the various ways storytelling, technology and innovation come together in Disney’s content creation. The participants then returned to their home countries with new meaningful connections, new ideas for STEM advancement and collaboration, and an enthusiasm to continue to tell their stories and celebrate the stories of other women in STEM!
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. The program partners for the 2022 Hidden No More IVLP special initiative are FHI 360, Charleston Council for International Visitors, International Focus, Inc., Global Ties Alabama, WorldOrlando, Gulf Coast Diplomacy, World Partnerships, Inc., WorldBoston, WorldChicago, and the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles (IVCLA). You can follow the Hidden No More IVLP special initiative on social media using the hashtag, #HiddenNoMore.
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