Achievement unlocked: A real life-size statue of a Latina woman in tech
Statue of Bea & Bea

Achievement unlocked: A real life-size statue of a Latina woman in tech

I am happy to share that I am one of the 125 ambassadors chosen for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) If/Then campaign where all the role models strive to raise awareness of women in STEM. The campaign focuses on all aspects of STEM, all the role models come from either Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math. Fun fact, most of them have a PhD!!! Out of all of us, we are about 20 women in tech, seven Latinas overall, and I am the only Latina in Tech! Another fact is that they also have role models from NASA, Google, Amazon, and Meta.

I am sharing this because it is crazy to think that someone like myself can be modeled as a statue to inspire young girls and kids in general that STEM is for anyone not just for a few. If you know me, you know how passionate I am when it comes to teaching kids how to code and showing them that anything is possible. To me, it is an honor to be part of this amazing group of ladies and be able to represent Microsoft, Latinas in Tech, Azure Data, my country, and my family.

If you happened to pass by one of the statues at the If/Then She Can exhibit in Dallas, Texas, you likely would have seen mine and the additional 119 statues of inspirational women in STEM!

How the statues were created

It was a fun process taking pictures needed to create the statue. The experience happens very quickly, and photographs are taken from different angles to get the exact measurements. This is possible with numerous cameras placed within a circle around the subject.

Getting ready to be photographed for the statue.

IRL

It was a surreal experience to see myself as a real-life size statue! It made me recognize that anything is possible if you believe in your cause and are willing to give back! I hope that you can pursue your passions and causes and make a difference in this world.

My passion is to give back and show underrepresented students that STEM is for everyone. I accomplish this through Nuevo Foundation efforts and when possible, through Microsoft events. At Nuevo Foundation we focus on giving back as volunteers to inspire kids to be curious, confident, and courageous by discovering the world of STEM. 

Statue of Bea & Bea outside in the sun!


The impact

The exhibit was visited by 2.5 million people in Dallas, TX! Also, the If/Then online collection has reached an audience of 9 MILLION and counting.

Also, the If/Then exhibit made history by:

  • Being the "first-of-its-kind, life-sized 3D printed statue exhibit free and in a public place."
  • Featuring the most statues of real women ever assembled together.

Why statues?

In case you are wondering why statues? Think for a minute, when was the last time that you saw a statue of a woman in a public place?

The largest scale 3D printing project of its kind was inspired by a recent study, commissioned by former Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios, of publicly accessible statues in the top ten U.S. cities plus Washington D.C. and San Francisco, in which her initial research concluded that less than half a dozen statues of real American women exist outdoors in their main parks or downtowns.

What's next?

I am thankful for the opportunity that AAAS and the If/Then campaign provided me during the ambassadorship, the amazing experience to know so many wonderful women in multiple STEM fields, and the ability to inspire thousands of students across the US and the world to dream big. Moving forward, I will continue my efforts at Nuevo Foundation to inspire kids to be curious, confident, and courageous by discovering the world of STEM. There are so many more things on my list to explore, share, and do and I’m excited for what the future holds! 

If she can see it, she can be it!
Picture of If/Then ambassadors in front of statues exhibit.


Gracias totales!

Gina Mejia - PhD, MBA

PhD, MBA, Engineer and Professor

5mo

Amazing

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Carlos Suárez Giménez

International Startups Strategic Advisor - Silicon Valley

2y

Bravissimo Beatris ...enhorabuena!! Congrats!!

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Meagan Olsen

Product Manager @ Microsoft | Software Development, Azure Solutions

2y

Congrats! So cool!

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Edwin Moure Negrón

Sales Director Digital Aviation Solutions - Boeing Global Services Latin America & Caribbean | Boeing Familia Enterprise Ambassador

2y

Muchas Felicidades, Gracias por todo lo que haces para un mejor presente y futuro.

Congratulations!!

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