The "I Want to be Like Her" essays are a chance for girls to read about the success stories of women in mathematics. They then write a short essay on why they could look up to and follow women who have oversome hardships and striven for success in their fields. The five essays below were chosen from all of the essays submitted as the winners in this years celebration.

1st Place :: Aquila Miller :: 11th :: Hertford County High

Her Name: Lenore Jackson
Her Occupation:  User Consultant/Information Specialist
Employer or Department where she works: NASA Science Internet

Why do you want to be like her?
I highly respect Lenore Jackson because of her determination and a passion for what she wanted do in life. I admire how she enjoys bringing people together and using her talents to increase knowledge worldwide. She faced her own counselor telling her she would not go to college; however, she still pushed undeterred toward her dream. She eventually graduated from Morgan State University and attended the University of Maryland paralegal program! Even though she was an African American woman in 1989, she did not give into her doubts, nor ones advanced by other people. She overcame the significant obstacles that were thrown at her throughout her life. It is my desire to be as successful as she is. She was given good advice and paid it forward by speaking wisdom. She said, “to succeed, you must make your own decisions about what you like and dislike.” Contemplating this quote finds me in total agreement with her. She also separated herself from negative people that would have held her back. She also stated to “be considerate of others because in return good things will happen to you.”

2nd Place :: Dajanique Sykes :: 11th :: Plymouth High School

Her Name: Lenore Jackson
Her Occupation: User Consultant/Information Specialist
Employer or Department where she works: NASA Science Internet

Why do you want to be like her?
I want to be like her because she exemplifies the intelligence, integrity, and perseverance that I know I possess and some day will use in the mathematics field. Lenore excelled in English and social sciences when she was in school. I relate to her excelling in both of those studies because I also excel in English and Social Studies at this point in time. Lenore was not letting anything get in her way of making her dreams come true, although being a woman and an African American involved in networking in the ‘80’s wasn’t a social norm, she did not let any of those obstacles stop her from pursuing her career and keeping an open mind and heart about others pursuing their dreams too. That is why I want to be like Lenore Jackson.

3rd Place :: Naudia Spivey :: 11th :: Bertie High School

Her Name: Tahani R. Amer
Her Occupation:  Aerospace Engineer
Employer or Department where she works: Aerodynamic Engineer

Why do you want to be like her?
I chose Tahani Amer because she was determined, fearless, dedicated, and hard working. She went to medical school in Egypt, got married at age 17, then came to the United States. She had children but she didn’t let that stop her because at the same time she obtained her associates degree. She then went on to obtain a Master’s degree while raising a family. As if being a foreign woman isn’t hard enough, she was young with dreams and ambition and she didn’t let anything stop her from doing what her mind was set on. She was strong and defied all odds, and now she’s one of the most successful women in the math field. She teaches me that anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it. Reading her biography makes me even more focused on my future to be an Anesthesiologist. She teaches me that no goal is unachievable. And to her I vow to keep my dream alive and uphold it to the best of my ability. I will be the greatest I can be because my story might inspire someone just like Tahani’s story inspired me. I will not let my circumstances define me.

4th Place :: Jordan Mitchell :: 9th :: Gates County High School

Her Name: Denise Stephenson-Hawk
Her Occupation:  Professor of Math and Science Courses with a PhD
Employer or Department where she works: Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

Why do you want to be like her?
I want to be like Denise Stephenson-Hawk.  She grew up in a segregated environment, in a society where she was taught that as an African American, she was “less” than others. Afterwards, she faced the difficulties of being in an integrated environment, working 100 times as hard as others to prove herself. She became the first black woman to earn a PhD in Princeton’s Oceanic Sciences program. Denise is a true trailblazer in black women’s post-secondary education in STEM fields. Not only did she break barriers, but she devoted her life to helping others break barriers. I admire her story of how education is your ticket to being truly successful in life. She didn’t let anything stop her from achieving her dreams. Two of the most difficult social barriers to overcome are being African American and being female. I am inspired to overcome all barriers, and that’s why I want to be like her!

5th Place :: Makayla Smith :: 8th :: Central Middle School

Her Name: Tahani R. Amer
Her Occupation:  Aerospace Engineer
Employer or Department where she works: NASA Langley Research Center