CC-OPS, along with the Black Business Association, will host a reception celebrating the life and legacy of CC-OPS founder Mary Ann Mitchell and other women leaders in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The event will be held at Maverick’s Flat, 4225 Crenshaw Blvd. today, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The reception marks the information technology firm’s 28th year in business. Now under the leadership of Mitchell’s daughter, Amy Dickerson, CC-OPS looks to use the event as an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to the legacy of a woman who created a name for herself in the male-dominated industry.
In reflecting back upon the time when she started her business, Mitchell told Our Weekly in an interview in early 2008, “A woman talking about engineering and technology was kind of unheard of.” With the support of five employees working in her garage, Mitchell built CC-OPS one connection at time, through relationship building, relentless follow-up, and a commitment to excellent customer service.
Almost 30 years later, STEM industries still lack significant female representation. The Department of Commerce’s Economic and Statistics Administration published a report on Aug. 3, 2011, revealing that, while women fill close to half of all jobs in the U.S. economy, they still hold less than 25 percent of STEM positions. Additionally, women hold a disproportionately low share of STEM undergraduate degrees, particularly in engineering. (United States Department of Commerce. “Women in STEM: A Gender Gap to Innovation.” 3 Aug. 2011)
For more information about the event or CC-OPS, contact Crystal McPherson at cmcpherson@ccops.com.
