STEM professions and equal opportunity

Zonta International District 28 Area 3, in collaboration with the Sapienza University of Rome Faculty of Civil and Industrial Engineering, hosted the seminar “STEM Professions and Equal Opportunity – Zonta International for Research and Education” on 9 April in Rome, Italy.

The seminar was held in the Sala del Chiostro of the Faculty of Civil and Industrial Engineering and was created and coordinated by Gabriella Fumarola, advocacy chair of Zonta District 28 Area 3.

The event highlighted Zonta International’s commitment to advancing research, education and opportunities for young women pursuing careers in STEM fields through initiatives such as the Amelia Earhart Fellowship and the Zonta Women in STEM Award. The seminar also focused on equal opportunities for women in STEM professions and the current landscape of STEM inclusion in Italy.

The seminar opened with an institutional video greeting from Professor Antonella Polimeni, rector of Sapienza University of Rome. Institutional remarks were also delivered by Eva Zappimbulso, area director of Area 03 District 28, and Leonilda Cussotto, president of Zonta Italia.

Also in attendance were incoming District 28 Governor Zelinda Legge of the Zonta Club of Roma 1, along with presidents and members from the Zonta clubs of Taranto, Matera, Roma Capitolium and the e-Club Roma Parioli.

Zonta panelists included Fernanda Gallo Freschi, president-elect of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women and member of the Zonta Club Milano Sant’Ambrogio; Daniela Pedrini, chair of the Amelia Earhart Fellowship Committee of Zonta International and past president of the e-Club Zonta Italy; Federica Angeletti, tenure track researcher at Sapienza University of Rome and president of the e-Club Zonta Italy; and Francesca Mastrovito, member-elect of the Zonta International District 28 Nominating Committee and president of the Zonta Club of Cosenza.

Sapienza University’s contribution to the seminar included participation from the Sapienza Student Aerospace Association (SASA), presented by Daniele Bianchi, professor of aerospace engineering and faculty advisor to the association. Attendees also heard testimony from the team leader of the Sapienza Space Team.