Women in Science Speak is a hybrid event celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which occurs every year on Feb. 11. Our event takes place the Friday before the observance day in partnership with Woman to Woman Mentoring, a local nonprofit, and Hood College, a local private college we have supported for many years.

The event features a panel of women in science, who share their perspectives on pursuing careers in science, advancing allyship and mentorship, achieving goals through self-advocacy, and more. Following the panel discussion, participants can engage panelists through a formal Q&A session ahead of a networking opportunity available to in-person participants.

Our speakers come from all walks of life brought together by a similar love and passion for STEM. From scientists to engineers, post docs to directors, mentees to mentors, the women who have spoken at these events have shared experiences, advice, and inspiration for future women in science and their allies. The event centers around the power of mentoring and the success of women in industries known to be male dominated.

We welcome all to join us. The event is free and open to the public. Women in Science Speak is especially pertinent to college students and young professionals, but we encourage everyone to attend.

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Women in Science Speak event graphic.
Illustration of a female scientist
Next event

Join us for Women in Science Speak 2026

Celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in science with us on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Hood College! There will be a virtual option for those unable to attend in person.

Past Events

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Four women on stage during Women in Science Speak 2025
Speakers on stage during Women in Science Speak 2025.
From left to right: Amanda Whitener, Executive Director at Woman to Woman Mentoring; Rebekah Collogan, Engineering Vice President at Phoenix Mecano; Khyati Roberts, Retired Head of U.S. Regulatory Policy and Intelligence at AbbVie; and Leah King, Forensic Chemistry Supervisor at Montgomery County Police Crime Laboratory.
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Crowd of people seated in an auditorium
In-person audience in the Hood College auditorium during Women in Science Speak 2024.
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Group photo of Woman to Woman Mentoring leaders and speakers at Women in Science Speak 2024
Speakers from Women in Science Speak 2024 with Woman to Woman Mentoring director.
From left to right: Amanda Whitener (Woman to Woman Mentoring), Terri Bray (Frederick National Laboratory), Joy Beveridge (retired; Frederick National Laboratory), Tanja Grkovic, Ph.D.(National Cancer Institute), Rebecca Kelly (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory), and Angel Boardley (Hood College).
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Speakers from Women in Science Speak 2023 standing together on stage
Speakers from Women in Science Speak 2023 stand together on stage.
From left to right: Banis Githinji, Ph.D., (National Institutes of Health), Christine Fennessey, Ph.D., (Frederick National Laboratory), Nicole Fer (Frederick National Laboratory), Debbie Ricker, Ph.D. (Hood College), and Mary Kearney, Ph.D. (National Cancer Institute).
Five women seated on stage for 2024 Women in Science Speak panel
Women in Science Speak 2024

‘What a scientist looks like’: Women in science describe adversity and success

Approximately 300 attendees heard from women at different stages in their scientific careers.
What is this? Left to right: Angel Boardley, first-generation biology student, Hood College; Rebecca Kelly, M.E. Mission Systems Engineer on The Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (EZIE) at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory; Tanja Grkovic, Ph.D., Staff Scientist in the Molecular Targets Program, National Cancer Institute; Terry Bray, M.S., M.B.A., Director, Environment, Health, and Safety, Frederick National Laboratory; Joy Beveridge, M.S., retired Operations Director for the Clinical Monitoring Research Program Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory.
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Panel of six women in science on stage
Women in Science Speak 2023

Women pursuing science add value to the endeavor, with support from mentors and allies

Much of the event's panel discussion related to mentorship.
What is this? From left to right: Banis Githinji, Ph.D., Research Nurse Practitioner, National Institutes of Health; Christine Fennessey, Ph.D., Scientist / Manager, AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Frederick National Laboratory; Nicole Fer, RAS Initiative Scientist, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory; Debbie Ricker, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Hood College; Mary Kearney, Ph.D., Senior Scientist and Head, Translational Research Section and Deputy Program Director, HIV Dynamics & Replication Program, National Cancer Institute.
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Carla Williams, Ph.D., talking with a virtual background
Women in Science Speak 2022

First Women in Science Speak event celebrates International Women and Girls in Science Day

Inaugural event held virtually to elevate voices of women in science.
What is this? Carla Williams, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Medicine & Public Health, Howard University & Interim Director, Howard University Cancer Center, Graduate School
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