October 5, 2017
For immediate release
OTTAWA – The United States Embassy in Ottawa is pleased to announce that Canadian Indigenous youth rights advocate Madelynn Slade will visit Washington, D.C., and other U.S. cities from October 9 to 27, as part of an exchange program to explore challenges and opportunities related to empowering women leaders in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The program is organized and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
Madelynn Slade will join 50 participants from around the world in travelling to the United States to review the evolution and advancement of women in American scientific research and innovation. They will explore the policies of organizations and educational institutions that champion the interest of women in STEM, including the National Geographic Society, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Inspired by the blockbuster film “Hidden Figures,” this program will allow participants to network with professional counterparts at scientific academies, associations, universities, businesses, and agencies across the United States and to share best practices for fostering “hidden talent” through initiatives that support the recruitment, training, and development of women in STEM. Participants will also examine public/private partnerships to accelerate student learning in STEM subjects, especially for girls from diverse backgrounds.
Madelynn Slade is a Michel Cree woman, originally from Edmonton, Alberta. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia, where she is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She has worked as an advocate, a social worker, a counsellor, and a student advisor in Indigenous communities for 11 years. Most recently, she worked as an outreach instructor for non-profit organization Actua, delivering science workshops and programming to some of the most remote Indigenous communities in Canada.
She is available for interviews before and after the program, upon request.
