Beyond the Glass Lab: The Journey of a Black Woman in STEM

Written by Paula Henry

The story of a Black woman in STEM is one of brilliance, grit, and the quiet resilience of constantly proving oneself in spaces not built for us. It is a story of long nights, unspoken doubts, and the unwavering determination to break barriers—not just for ourselves, but for the ones who will follow.

The College Years: Twice the Work for Half the Recognition

College was a battleground, but not just because of the rigorous coursework. The real challenge was the unspoken expectation that I had to be twice as good to be seen as competent. Every exam, every project, every late night in the library was a silent negotiation between exhaustion and ambition.

There were moments when I sat in classrooms where I was the only Black woman, feeling the weight of having to represent an entire demographic. Moments when my ideas were overlooked until they came from someone else’s mouth. Moments when I questioned if I truly belonged, despite the countless hours I poured into mastering the material.

I was fighting for my place in a world that often doubted my existence in these spaces.

But I stayed. I studied harder. I asked more questions. I sought out mentors, built my own support system, and reminded myself that I was not just fighting for a degree—I was fighting for my place in a world that often doubted my existence in these spaces.

From Graduation to Reality: A New Battlefield

Leaving college did not mean leaving the struggle behind. If anything, the challenges evolved. Instead of worrying about grades, I had to navigate workplace dynamics where my presence was an anomaly.

There were the raised eyebrows when I introduced myself as an expert in my field. The surprise on faces when I presented complex solutions with confidence. The moments when my ideas were met with skepticism until validated by someone else.

Imposter syndrome whispered that maybe I was just lucky to be here. But deep down, I knew luck had nothing to do with it. I had earned my seat at the table through relentless effort, intellectual curiosity, and an unshakable belief in my capabilities.

Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges

Every project I lead, every problem I solve, every young Black girl who sees me and thinks, ‘I can do that too’—these are victories.

Now, standing at this point in my journey, I realize that my presence in STEM is an act of defiance. Every success I achieve chips away at the outdated notions of who belongs in this field. Every project I lead, every problem I solve, every young Black girl who sees me and thinks, ‘I can do that too’—these are victories.

The journey has never been easy, but it has been worth it. And while I work twice as hard, I do it, not only to prove something to the world, but because I love the work. Because I refuse to let the struggle define me more than the brilliance that brought me here.

To the Black women coming up in STEM: Keep pushing. Keep learning. Keep taking up space. You belong here, and the world is better because you refuse to back down.

Paula is the Operations Coordinator at IRL Systems, Inc. based in New York City. She is a Brooklyn native, with a passion for strategizing and consulting; making life easy for small businesses. She graduated from SUNY Brockport with a Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems. In her free time she can be found reading, shopping or learning about the next best makeup product.

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