STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Nowhere in that definition does it specify that these fields are female or male-dominant. So why does society make this a male-dominated field when women have shown how capable they are to be in this field since the beginning of time? My name is Gabrielle Wilson, and I am a student at North Carolina Central University, pursuing a career in Clinical Research. I plan to continue my education and earn a doctorate to pursue a career as a Clinical Research director. I have always been fascinated by science and the reasoning behind it. As a young girl, my mother put me into various science camps where I learned about electrical wiring, the components of certain chemicals, and even how to make my functional robot. I grew up immersed in STEM but never viewed it as a male-dominated field–until an experience at camp changed my perspective. When I was a freshman in high school, I attended a STEM camp at my church. The camp was advertised for all freshmen but when I arrived, I noticed that out of twenty students in attendance, only three were young ladies- including myself. This moment made me realize how society placed a label on a field which both men and women have significant contributions. During the same camp, we learned about how the historical impact of STEM. However, the conversation focused mainly on the contributions of men, overlooking the major roles that women played. For example, Rosalind Franklin was a British chemist who made crucial contributions to our understanding of DNA double helix. Chien-Shiung Wu, the first person to receive the Wolf Prize in Physics, was denied the Nobel Prize in Physics due to her gender. Lydia Villa- Komaroff, demonstrated that bacteria can be induced to produce insulin. Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, discovered the HIV virus. Her findings led to the development of blood tests to detect infection. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree, paved the way for women in medicine, proving that STEM is not only for men. These women, along with many others have left a significant impact on the STEM field–yet the narrative still suggests it is male-dominated Having been involved in STEM field for years, I have an understanding of how “male-dominant” the field can feel. However, I firmly believe that it’s up to the women pursuing these careers to change that perception. After all, the “M” in STEM does not stand for males.

Many people hold various beliefs for different reasons, whether it's faith in God, Gods, the universe, or no belief at all. I believe in God as the creator of all, including things often considered “man-made”. Yes, humans may physically create these things,but God inspires the ideas behind them. My belief initially stemmed from obligations, as I attended church with my mother and grandparents, participated in Bible study, and engaged in church activities. Though I didn't despise these experiences, I didn't truly believe in God for myself ; to me it was required of as i was the child in the situation. However, in recent times, embracing faith has been a transformative decision that has profoundly impacted my life. I was raised by a remarkable single mother who shielded my sister and me from the harsh ways of the world. My father struggled with alcoholism and made many regrettable choices. Although his recovery does have to do with luck, medical professionals, or even the strength to bring him out, it was the eye-opening experience with my father's deteriorating health that solidified my belief in God. My grandfather, my father's father, has Alzheimer's disease, diagnosed nearly nine years ago. On a trip back to Calabash, North Carolina, from Teachey, North Carolina, my grandmother noticed my father experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms known as "cold turkey" after abruptly ceasing drinking without food or water, a dangerous situation. When my grandmother tried to communicate with him, he remained unresponsive. Shortly after, she realized he was having a seizure. She quickly pulled over, but before she could exit the car, my grandfather, despite his state of mind leaped out, opened the backseat, and held my father while praying until the seizure subsided. Moments later, the ambulance arrived, but due to their location, the paramedics couldn't safely transport my father. Without hesitation, my grandfather lifted my father and carried him to the ambulance. They were taken to the hospital, where he was in the ICU for three days and was able to come home the following week. This incident reinforced my belief in God. I don't just believe because of my upbringing; I believe because I've seen God work through my grandfather to save my father. Without him, my father might not be with us today. For me this isn’t my only testimony, God has brought me out of many situations that were supposed to not only take my character but take me.

My name is Gabrielle Wilson. A North Carolina resident, a proud eagle at North Carolina Central University, a 2023 graduate, and the daughter of an alcoholic. Having the last name that I do, means that I carry the weight of a generational curse that will end with me. My grandfather and father are alcoholics. As my grandfather is a recovering alcoholic, my father is a struggling alcoholic. Now, my father hasn’t always been an alcoholic I used to be a daddy's girl. I will follow Dad wherever he goes. At the start of his addiction, he hid it well. It wasn’t until my mother moved my sister and me, that I realized the situation was much worse than just a few bottles. My father didn’t think he had a problem and still doesn’t, even when I would beg him to see what he was doing was hurting the family. My father made it clear over and over again that he didn’t want to get help or change the lifestyle that he lives, no matter the physical, mental, or emotional damage it does to him or our family. No matter how bad it gets he's still my father and I love him, but there is only so much I can handle. Throughout the years, I defended him, cared for him, made excuses and so much more but my last straw was when my father showed me where I stood in his life. He chose another women, someone he doesn't know all that well and is just another form of feeding his addiction, over me, his first daughter the one who was calling when he put himself in the ICU trying to do cold turkey, who was in the car when he had too much to drink one night and ran into a ditch, and the little girl who would wonder why my dad isn’t the same man I grew up with. It hurts, yes, but my God is capable of many things. Alcoholism has damaged the relationship I have with my father and older brother. I pray for him everyday, but I did take a step back for my own mental health. Trying to be able to work on my mental and still not feel guilty with the thought of “leaving him behind”. Especially with the stress college has on me, trying to find what I want to do and who I want to be. With what I know about alcoholism I think it is important for more people to be educated on the warning signs as well as the techniques there are to help get and stay sober. My first step in achieving this is by attending an internship that I have obtained with Duke University, where I will be researching alcoholism. This scholarship will help me be able to further my education and spread awareness to addiction.