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The project, cosponsored by the Center for Research on Women and Gender at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), consists of a listserv and website that links girls and women in 29 States and the District of Columbia.

“The GEM-SET dialogue has opened the girls’ eyes to greater possibilities for their futures. I wish I had something like that thirty years ago when I started out."

Currently, about 400 girls are provided connections to over 100 women mentors from a variety of science, engineering, and technology fields. Through a Daily Digest, mentors respond to questions from the girls and provide information and advice.

In Pittsburgh, some GEM-SET members are learning how to get an e-mail address and use the Internet for the first time.  An 8th grader in Minnesota wrote, “Its extraordinary to me how much you women care about us, the hundreds or so of young girls across the country, and give us a fair chance to succeed.” Girls participating in Kentucky received free scientific calculators donated by a local electronics company.According to their teacher, “This program is really starting to make these young ladies think about their futures and careers, instead of thinking, Oh, do we have to do this math.

In addition to the mentoring opportunity, GEM-SET maintains a website, www.Gem-Set.org, that provides a variety of information for participants, including a potential mentor’s biographical information, the SET career of the month, highlighted women in SET careers, and activities designed to test knowledge about SET careers.

On May 4, 2002, the newest phase of this innovative program will be initiated. An interactive videoconference, originating at University of Missouri – Kansas City, will bring together the girls and mentors and give them the chance to discuss what they are learning about SET vocations.

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For More Information About WB, Contact:
U.S. Department of Labor
Women's Bureau
200 Constitution Avenue, NW - Room S-3002
Washington, DC 20210
Telephone 1-800-827-5335 or (202) 693-6710
Fax (202) 693-6725