Women’s History Feature: Siobahn Day Grady, Ph.D., an Advocate for Women and Girls in STEM Education

Siobahn Day Grady ‘18, Ph.D., stands on the shoulders of hidden figures – women of color who worked in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and never acknowledged for their significant contributions to society.

A passionate professor, speaker, author and role model to women and girls interested in STEM education, Grady was the first woman to complete her doctoral degree in computer science at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

Grady, a native of Hillsborough, North Carolina, grew up influenced by her parents’ passion for technology. In elementary school, she fell in love with mathematics and science. When she decided to attend college, she wanted to attend a historically Black college or university (HBCU), just like her father. She received her undergraduate degree in computer science from Winston-Salem State University in 2005, master’s degree in information science from North Carolina Central University in 2009, and master’s and doctoral degrees in computer science simultaneously from A&T in 2018.

“I have always been a big dreamer and my role models were my parents. I watched my dad, who was a computer programmer, and my mother, who worked at IBM, follow their passions,” said Grady. “I grew up in a space and time where STEM surrounded me, and it became a passion of mine.”

The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics reports that of those employed in STEM occupations, men make up 65% and women make up 35%. Grady works as program director of Information Science at North Carolina Central and has a personal mission of making an impact in the world of STEM.

“In the STEM workforce, there is a lack of representation of minorities and women, and we need to be at the table when decisions are being made,” she said. “If you Google, ‘what does a CEO look like?’ your search results will not show women of color. It’s more important now that we teach women and girls to choose careers in STEM and learn how to become effective leaders.”

Grady’s commitment to STEM has afforded her opportunities to speak on national and international platforms and receive research grant funding for the advancement of the profession. In 2022, she was immortalized in the world’s largest exhibit of women’s statues curated by #IfThenSheCan. Her statue has been featured in the Smithsonian Museum among more than 100 women in the STEM workforce.

In addition, Grady has established six merit-based, STEM-centric endowed scholarships at five HBCUs in the UNC System: A&T, N.C. Central, Winston-Salem State, Elizabeth City State University and Fayetteville State University.

To learn more about Grady and her work, visit www.drsdgrady.com.