Hawaii Island community leaders gathered earlier this month with women scientists, engineers and administrators of the Maunakea Observatories at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center to celebrate equality, diversity and the historic contributions of these acclaimed individuals.
In association with International Women’s Day, which recognizes the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women, the second annual gathering celebrated the 2019 campaign theme — #BalanceForBetter — as the observatory community in Hawaii looks to pursue full gender equity and greater diversity among colleagues.
In a show of solidarity and commitment to shared values, the East Asian Observatory introduced a new equality challenge for the entire astronomy community on Hawaii Island, pledging to support equality and diversity within their ranks.
“Living in one of the most diverse states in the country, host to the most female astronomers in the world, we are uniquely positioned to serve as a model of progress toward gender equity and diversity in the workplace,” said Jessica Dempsey, deputy director of the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope of the East Asian Observatory.