Women’s History Month 2024: What it means to me

NOAA employees on advice they would give to their younger selves

MARCH, 1942: Students participate in a science experiment at a school in Washington, D.C.

MARCH, 1942: Students participate in a science experiment at a school in Washington, D.C. (Image credit: Marjory Collins, Courtesy of the Library of Congress)

March is National Women’s History Month, an opportunity to celebrate pioneering women in American history, while turning an eye to the contributions women are making — and will make — to society, especially in career fields historically inaccessible to women.

In this video series, #WomenOfNOAA share advice they would give to their younger selves.

Xin Lan: Greenhouse Gas Scientist, Global Monitoring Laboratory

Xin views Women’s History Month as a time for celebration and reflection, and an opportunity to remember that women are not treated equally throughout the world. 

If given the opportunity to share advice with her younger self, she would say that despite what she was told by others, girls can grow up to be great scientists.

Kayelyn Simmons: Oceanographer, Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory

Kayelyn celebrates Women’s History Month by shopping at women-owned businesses and participating in a number of activities, including scuba diving, martial arts and spear fishing.

What advice would she give to her younger self? To have more confidence in her academic abilities, for starters.