This cache is part of an occasional series about Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The cache is not located at the posted coordinates.
Typically, the most common professions for members of Congress include public service/politics, business and law; this seems to be true across genders. That said, I was curious about how many Congressional women have STEM backgrounds so I identified the Congressional women, learned a bit about each of them by looking at their education and their work history before Congress to see who had a STEM background. I specifically excluded degrees related to public service, business and law including economics, international relations, political science, public administration, sociology, urban planning and law school, some of which might usually be considered STEM, unless I quickly identified evidence that the individual had conducted scientific research outside the classroom or worked professionally in a STEM field.
By my inexact and likely incomplete count, there have been at least 37 Congressional women with STEM backgrounds, with the first woman, Jeanette Rankin, inaugurated just over 100 years ago. Collectively, these 37 women have served in both houses, represent different states, caucus with different parties, have served in Congress at different times, and include non-voting members from territories. It should go without saying, but I will say it anyway: this is not a political puzzle, it is another Women in STEM puzzle, this time about the women with STEM backgrounds who have served in Congress.
These women have degrees in anthropology, astrophysics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, pharmacy, physics, psychology and public health. They include engineers, physicians, pilots, and veterans. One came in second in the microbiology category of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair as a high school student (I included her, even though her degrees were not in STEM fields).
Most members of Congress are elected in November of even-numbered years and take office a couple of months later, on January 3 of an odd-numbered year. Some replaced someone else in Congress, either due to them taking a new professional role or death; these women were elected or appointed in the middle of the term and took office shortly thereafter.
The current and former Senators with STEM backgrounds include Tammy Duckworth, Joni Ernst, Shelley Moore Capito, and Jacky Rosen. The current and former Representatives include Ruth Baker Pratt, Joyce Beatty, Nancy Boyda, Donna Christian-Christensen, Judy Chu, Amata Coleman Radewagen, Barbara-Rose Collins, Barbara Cubin, Suzan DelBene, Jennifer Dunn, Mary Fallin, Tulsi Gabbard, Diana Harshbarger, Nan Hayworth, Chrissy Houlahan, Robin Kelly, Blanche Lincoln, Elaine Luria, Doris Matsui, Karen McCarthy, Martha McSally, Carrie Meek, Marianette Miller-Meeks, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Chellie Pingree, Jeanette Rankin, Kim Schrier, Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, Louise Slaughter, Melanie Stansbury, Lauren Underwood, Nikema Williams, and Heather Wilson.
And now for the puzzle:
Wyoming Chemistry
Missouri Biology
Illinois Psychology and Counseling
New York Biology and Medicine
New Mexico Human Ecology and Natural Science
New York Mathematics
Michigan Anthropology
Iowa Army Physician
Washington Systems Engineer
Washington Biology (degree from Reed)
Senator Zoology
Senator US Army Helicopter Pilot
American Samoa Psychology
Ohio Speech and Counseling Psychology
Georgia Biology
The puzzle is now adjourned. Sine die.