In celebration of International Women’s Day 2022, Friends of the Girls Academic Leadership Academy on March 4 hosted the 4th annual Young Women’s Career Conference.

This year, GALA students – ranging from 6th-12th grade – had the opportunity to select from 11 virtual panel sessions based on their interests happening throughout the day. Students also attended virtual “rocket sessions” presented by sub­ject matter experts on a variety of topics such as interviewing tips, lis­tening skills and financial literacy.

More than 50 selected women leaders from across the country joined via Zoom from organiza­tions such as NASA JPL, Angel City FC, Google, Cedars-Sinai, The Aerospace Corporation, MIT, Fandango and Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Representatives were from the aerospace, science, entre­preneurship, medicine, finance, engineering, crypto currency, archi­tecture, gaming and media indus­tries. The keynote speaker was Dr. Kristi Funk, breast cancer surgeon and motivational speaker.

YWCC was created four years ago to bring the outside world of professional possibilities and opportunities to the GALA girls.

“Since it’s not just what you know but also who you know, we wanted to begin a tradition of culti­vating relationships early,” former FoGALA VP and YWCC founder Claudine Shivas said. “We invite select women leaders to inspire and connect so when that spark of inter­est kindles in a student, this broader friends of GALA community can fuel the flames opening doors, mak­ing introductions, mentoring, internships and more.”

“It’s so important to demonstrate to upcoming generations of women that STEM careers are waiting for them with open arms,” speaker Sally Slade, co-founder at Voltaku Studios Inc. said. “I am honored to participate in the Young Women’s Career Conference for GALA Academy and raise awareness of cool, cutting-edge jobs that they can begin preparing for now or at any stage in life.”

GALA teacher Kevin Mulka said he appreciated the speakers’ contri­butions.

“What a magical moment to give our students inspiration, motivation and focus to achieve their dreams,” he added. “YWCC gives hope and promise to our mission here at GALA, and we are so honored that our community has made a day to dedicate to the future of our stu­dents.”

According to the American Association of University Women, women make up 28% of the work­force in science, technology, engi­neering and math, and men vastly outnumber women majoring in most STEM fields in college. The gender gaps are particularly high in some of the fastest-growing and highest-paid jobs of the future, like computer science and engineering.

GALA, located on the Los Angeles High School campus, is currently the only all-girls STEM focused public school in both Los Angeles and California. The Los Angeles Unified School District campus strives to provide quality education and opportunity for all girls in the Los Angeles area regard­less of economic background.

“At GALA, we understand that the more often a young woman is exposed to extraordinary women professionals and leaders, the more likely she will be to succeed in what­ever profession she chooses,” GALA principal Elizabeth A. Hicks said.

For information, visit fogala.org/ywcc.