Bill > H499

This bill establishes the Abigail Adams Center for Women in STEM, a new entrepreneurial program designed to address the underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions. The bill highlights that while women make up nearly 50% of the workforce, they represent less than 25% of STEM professionals, with only 26% of women with STEM degrees working in STEM jobs. The center will be managed by an executive director appointed by the corporation and will serve as an agent to create more favorable small business opportunities and workplace environments for women in STEM. The center will provide comprehensive support including grants for startup expenses, small business incubator development, entrepreneurial training, industry networking, business plan preparation, market research, workforce development, and business assistance services. It will collaborate with various Massachusetts agencies like the Massachusetts technology collaborative and the office of business development to achieve its goals. The center aims to encourage women to extend their focus beyond laboratory work and into commercial ventures, recognizing that technology and commercialization efforts are more successful when women are in top management positions.

Business and Industry

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H499