In 2011, the United Nations declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. The movement highlights the need to address gaps in educational opportunities and to break boundaries posed by stereotypes and other means of exclusion.
#BeThatGirl
SDG&E advocates for women in historically underrepresented fields with our signature program championed by CEO Caroline Winn – #BeThatGirl. The goal is to spark an interest in STEM for girls at an early age who may not have considered these opportunities before. Through mentorship and community outreach, SDG&E supports these young women as they navigate their future STEM education and career paths. This year, we launched the #BeThatGirl mentorship program that matches our nonprofit partners with a director and an employee mentor pair for a series of structured conversations over six months. The girls from the nonprofit programs learned how to create their elevator pitch, identify their strengths, build healthy relationships and develop time management skills.
Some of our #BeThatGirl mentors from this first cohort shared their experiences with us in celebration of International Day of the Girl.
“I grew up in humble beginnings in Mexico with minimal exposure to the U.S. college structure. The support I received from other women in my life got me through college and into a field that I love and have now spent my entire career in. I am proud to work for a company that not only celebrates International Day of the Girl, but also provides employees with meaningful opportunities to give back to our community and inspire girls that grew up like me.” – Martiza Mekitarian, #BeThatGirl Mentor
“This mentor program sparked inspiration from my collegiate days at UNLV when I realized my innate duty as a Black/Pacific Islander female engineer, and the first in my family to graduate college, to always reach back down the pipeline and empower future generations. Today, as a professional and leader, I have the privilege to connect with students and offer guidance on how to tap into their network and pursue their interests, no matter their background. Representation is essential, and I'm honored to mentor girls who aspire towards and/or share similar journeys.” – Chequala Fuller, #BeThatGirl Mentor
Our #BeThatGirl program is an example of how SDG&E translates the UN’s global message into actionable, local impact. We continually invest in girls’ rights, leadership and well-being with employee representation and charitable investments to grassroots organizations that share our vision for shaping a more inclusive future for all girls.
Learn more about how we inspire the next generation's innovative, diverse and talented STEM workforce.