ASHRAE Journal - September 2023 - 8

LETTERS
Challenge Accepted
What an honor to be a Life Member of ASHRAE
and see Ginger Scoggins, the most recent woman to
serve as ASHRAE's president, on the cover, along with
her hopeful and optimistic address in " Challenge
Accepted: Tackling the Climate
Crisis. "
I have known Ginger a long
time, while I was working on
various Society committees and as
a former Boston Chapter president.
Her statement, " I can see a
day when being a woman in this
industry will not be an anomaly but
will be the norm, " was saddening. I
had thought we were in a better place
as a Society because we had reached
that time.
To address this imbalance, it is imperative that
we take proactive steps to encourage and support
young women interested in pursuing engineering
and HVAC&R careers. More and more, educational
institutions, employers and industry organizations
are collaborating to create mentorship
programs, scholarships and outreach
initiatives aimed at inspiring and
empowering women to enter these
fi elds. Furthermore, efforts to
challenge stereotypes and biases
programs, scholarships and outreach
initiatives aimed at inspiring and
empowering women to enter these
elds. Furthermore, efforts to
challenge stereotypes and biases
must be intensifi ed to create a
more inclusive and welcoming
environment.
had thought we were in a better place
Although it sadly took 116 years until
my friend Lynn Bellenger ascended to
environment.
Through the ASHRAE Board
of Directors' Diversity, Equity
and Inclusion Subcommittee
and other efforts, the Society is
Although it sadly took 116 years until
my friend Lynn Bellenger ascended to
the role of ASHRAE president (2010),
after Sheila Hayter (2018), Ginger is now the third
woman to serve as ASHRAE president in 13 years!
Let's rally behind Ginger and get everyone you know
to accept the challenge!
Steven L. Rosen,
Life Member ASHRAE,
Boston, Mass.
SCOGGINS RESPONDS
Thank you for the letter and for accepting the
challenge of tackling the climate crisis.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while
women account for approximately 56% of the total U.S.
workforce, women make up 27% of all professional
engineers and 1.7% of the overall HVAC&R industry
workforce. The gender inequity is greater with even
fewer women holding leadership roles in engineering
and HVAC&R.
Despite some progress, women still face barriers
when it comes to pursuing careers in traditionally
male-dominated fi elds like engineering and HVAC&R.
This underrepresentation not only deprives these
industries of valuable perspectives and talents, but
also perpetuates a gender disparity that has farreaching
societal implications.
8
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playing a pivotal role in creating
a culture that not only values
and embraces the contributions
of women but is actively forming pathways of
ascension for diversity in leadership roles. I hope that
by acknowledging the gender disparity that still exists
and highlighting my own journey as a woman who
has excelled in engineering and HVAC&R, my story
can serve as powerful inspiration for aspiring female
professionals.
Through open communication and a willingness to
work together, we can break down barriers and create
a more inclusive environment. We can harness the full
potential of diverse talent and drive innovation that
will profoundly impact the industries we serve and the
world.
of women but is actively forming pathways of
Ginger Scoggins, P.E.,
ASHRAE President, Fellow ASHRAE,
Cary, N.C.
Have something to say?
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Submissions:
https://tinyurl.com/JournalSubmit
Archive: technologyportal.ashrae.org
Missing Issue: cservice@ashrae.org
of Directors' Diversity, Equity
must be intensifi ed to create a
more inclusive and welcoming
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ASHRAE Journal - September 2023

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