Sally Ride Science at UC San Diego Celebrates Trailblazers at Fifth Annual Women in Leadership Event

In her introductory remarks, Executive Vice Chancellor Simmons reflected on the importance and relevance of the annual event. “This program highlights the milestones that have been attained toward gender equity. But, you know, celebrating the record breakers and celebrating the firsts carries a kind of poignancy,” said Simmons. “It’s a reminder that we still have a long way to go to truly achieve gender equity throughout all fields.”

The showcase of the night was a panel discussion with an esteemed group of speakers from diverse backgrounds and professions, sharing their journeys, challenges, and triumphs and delving into the current state of women’s progress. The conversation was moderated by award-winning broadcaster and author Lynn Sherr, guiding a candid and lively discussion with Erin Jackson, speedskating Olympic Gold Medalist and STEM advocate; Laurie Leshin, geochemist, space scientist and director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory; and Natalia Molina, professor of American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California and award-winning author.

Sherr, who has been involved in the panel since the first event in 2018, set the tone for the hour-long conversation, relating a story about anchoring TV coverage of the liftoff of the space shuttle 40 years ago, on June 18, 1983. “After 25 years of white male fighter pilots doing their Buck Rogers thing, Sally proved you don't need the right plumbing to have the right stuff,” said Sherr. “It was and is a ‘first' worth remembering and exactly what we honor here today.”

Helmed by Sherr, the panel discussion was wide-ranging, touching on the erosion of women’s rights and freedoms, the importance of collective responsibility, the nature of female friendships and mentorships to propel women towards their goals, and the role of men in changing the culture. The conversation concluded with speculative questions, soliciting the panelists for their reflections on what would be different if women ran the world, and their perspectives on how many generations we have to wait until things change.

After the program, attendees gathered near the stage to meet and thank the panelists, take photos, and capture autographs, bringing together dreamers and trailblazers of all generations and genders.

“Tonight’s celebration of Sally and her extraordinary leadership continues with the women in this program,” said Chancellor Khosla. “Hopefully you will leave here inspired and willing and ready to make a change in other people's lives and be a changemaker.”

The full broadcast of the Women in Leadership panel is available at UCSD-TV.