Written by Karina Rudolph Mass VSFS Internship at the US Department of State
As this year’s Earth Day approaches, we recognize that women and girls continue to contribute to scientific advances around the world. Although great strides have been made in recent years to close the gender gap in STEM fields, science continues to be a male-dominated discipline. The Academy of Women’s Entrepreneurship (AWE) encourages the empowerment of women in all fields through the education and mentorship opportunities provided to enterprising women. AWE recognizes the value of women’s contributions to science and celebrates both current participants and alumni who advance women’s empowerment through entrepreneurship and innovative efforts in the environmental science field.
Salimata TOH, a recent graduate of the AWE program in Ivory Coast, is a powerful example of the valuable role that empowered women play in advancing science. In 2022, TOH established a sustainable business. Agribanana fights climate change by reducing deforestation and plastic pollution. TOH and its business, which has researched and developed a patented solution that transforms banana tree waste into environmentally friendly and biodegradable products and fibers, are working to address one of today’s most pressing global concerns. We provide innovative and effective means to sustainably fight the problems people think about. TOH represented young entrepreneurs working on climate action at COP28, the United Nations climate conference, held in the UAE last year.
When asked about what inspired him to found Agribanana, TOH credits his mother. She said her mother has a deep passion for fighting global warming and founded her own NGO to encourage immediate action to fight climate change.
TOH also believes that the network of women entrepreneurs it has built through participation in the AWE program is an invaluable source of motivation and inspiration. TOH said that through AWE, she was provided with a network of female entrepreneurs who she could “turn to in difficult times”, especially as she navigated the many challenges of starting and succeeding in her STEM field. Thank you. TOH owes her success in entrepreneurship and science to the encouragement and support of other empowered and motivated women, proving the importance of strong and inspiring networks. Masu.
As we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Women’s Entrepreneurship Academy recognizes women from around the world who, like Salimata TOH, have shown tenacity in their STEM careers and continue to drive positive change while inspiring more women. I admire and admire many women. Participation in science.
