letters from the editors
Martha Wakoli
Late last year, I came across this article, The Importance of Representation: Voice, Visibility and Validation. The article contributed greatly to my resolve to start working on this magazine and I hope this excerpt helps to explain why: The composition of a group shapes the interactions among the groups’ members. Since individuals can only truly speak from their own experiences, and so many important, powerful groups include few or no women, the contribution of women is systematically excluded in important decision-making. The positive portrayal of women is crucial so that people are aware of diversity, but also appreciate and celebrate that diversity. My own professional attention has since shifted to younger viewers. Their developing minds are that little bit more unquestioning about what they see and hear. Or, of equal import, what they DON’T see and hear.
I mentor teenage girls on occasion, mostly on career choices.
It was during this mentorship that I observed a recurrent theme; Awe, once I introduced what I do that turned to complete disinterest once I described how I got it done. Engineering isn’t considered cool. Engineering for a woman, even less so. We are socialized to think ladies should be sitting pretty doing the less technical work. This inherent bias is reinforced throughout a girl’s life from toys to chores and later on in life in the images they consume on TV and in magazines. When I came up with the idea of Queengineers, my long term goal was to give a voice to African women in engineering by sharing their stories. My mission was primarily to educate and inspire my audience; to provide a visual for the young ladies that I mentor.
I believe in the broader definition of engineering that includes software and all other specializations beyond the 3 basic majors in Kenya which are electrical, mechanical and civil. Hence, Queengineers will be deliberate about highlighting the less common specializations and the opportunities they offer. I hope to build a much stronger, more visible, more collaborative and eventually more vocal community of female engineers in Kenya and around Africa. I hope you find this an informative and relatable read. One that, over time, will serve to increase the number of young girls developing interest in the profession.
Many thanks to Marian, my co-editor for putting up with my never-ending demands. Finally, thank you to all the ladies who contributed their profiles to be featured in this issue. Welcome to the start of something amazing! Here’s to telling our stories! Enjoy
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