Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics INTRODUCTION

WELCOME YOU to this very special issue of Naval Engineers Journal (NEJ), and one that is overdue for our Society. Our demographics are slowly changing to reflect the increasing diversity of the STEM community in our nation. While we are feeling the value of diverse ideas in our workplaces, this change is occurring at a glacial pace. As a member of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1977, I participated in the transition of the Naval Academy from an all-male student body during my first three years to a "co-ed" student body for my first class (senior) year. The Class of 1980 saw the first 81 women join our ranks in Bancroft Hall in the summer of 1976.