July 29, 2024

PHILADELPHIA, July 29, 2024—The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (the Academy) was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Saint-Gobain North America Foundation in support of the Academy’s Women In Natural Sciences (WINS) Program.

The grant will support WINS’ program operations throughout the 2024-2025 program year, with a focus on expanding WINS III—an extension of WINS for program graduates in their college years—to support its students during all four years of college. The funding will also assist the efforts of the new WINS Alumnae Network. Together, these efforts strengthen the pipeline of young women into STEM careers with the hope of promoting greater diversity in the professional STEM landscape.

"This contribution from Saint-Gobain will ensure that the WINS program is able to continue mentoring and assisting young women in the earliest stages of their careers in STEM,” said Kimberly Godfrey, Manager of Social Justice Programs for the Academy. “It is because of the generosity of WINS supporters that a program that began as a way to introduce rising ninth graders to natural sciences now assists those young women all the way through their college years.”

The Academy established WINS in 1982 to address a nationwide need for science enrichment opportunities for young women. Beginning as a summer-only program for ninth graders, WINS has since transformed into a nationally recognized STEM education, mentorship, college and workforce preparation program serving young Philadelphia women in grades 9 – 12 (WINS I & WINS II), as well as graduates of the program during their college years (WINS III). WINS provides a nurturing environment that allows young women to interact with peers, share new experiences, and become part of a supportive network that lives on long after high school.

“Now more than ever, corporate philanthropy programs like the Saint-Gobain Foundation play an essential role in supporting the local communities where we live and work,” said Joe Bondi, President of the Saint-Gobain North America Foundation. “As a proud member of the Greater Philadelphia community, I can think of no better way to fulfill our Purpose of Making the World A Better Home than by supporting the important services the WINS program provides to young women throughout the city.”

“By supporting students as they prepare to embark on their career journey, we can help to ensure a bright future for the next generation of leaders and skilled professionals in the workforce,” said Magda Dexter, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Communications for Saint-Gobain North America. “With a mission to introduce hundreds of high school women to future careers in STEM, the WINS program is a perfect partner for Saint-Gobain North America. We are proud to support this important work as WINS helps to build the futures leaders of the manufacturing industry.”

“The invaluable contributions from Saint-Gobain have been instrumental in propelling the growth of WINS III. Their support emphasizes our core belief: for students to truly thrive, they need mentorship. Our approach to WINS III integrates STEM pedagogies with social-emotional learning strategies, ensuring a holistic experience that prepares our WINS participants for success as they step out of college and into a world that may not always be the easiest to navigate,” said Janai A. Keita, Social Justice Programs Coordinator for the Academy. “WINS III has been a safe haven for our college students, much like what WINS has always been for participants. I am honored to be in community with Saint-Gobain as we lead our next leaders into the world.”

Saint-Gobain has been a generous supporter of WINS since 2021, awarding more than $57,000 in grants to the program in those years. The partnership between the Saint-Gobain Foundation and WINS also resulted in a career panel last fall at the Academy. Another such panel is planned for the fall of this year, where WINS students will learn firsthand from current Saint-Gobain employees about STEM careers in construction and industrial design.

Additional support from the Millrace Foundation, the Hoxie Harrison Smith Foundation, the Patriarch Family Foundation, the Horner Foundation, the Helen D. Groome Beatty Trust, the Charles E. Ellis Grant Scholarship Fund, the Albert M. Greenfield Foundation, the Hess Foundation and GlaxoSmithKline, as well as many individual donors, has made possible the ongoing work and expansion of WINS.

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About the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Founded in 1812, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is a leading natural history museum and scientific research organization dedicated to understanding the natural world and inspiring everyone to care for it. The Academy is a constant source of innovation, education and engagement with environmental justice. It is home to more than 19 million scientific specimens in its world-class collections. Learn more at ansp.org and follow the Academy on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. 

Contact

Kaitlyn Foti Kalosy
kfk38@drexel.edu
215-299-1777