Over the past 10 years, the percentage of women in Engineering has increased slightly — slightly being the key word. Although the increase is small, it’s by no means insignificant in a program dominated by nearly 82 percent men, according to a report by The Daily Illini. 

The significance lies not in numbers, but in the University’s ongoing commitment to provide more opportunities to women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. 

And the University’s efforts this semester have been anything but lackadaisical in recruiting and attracting women to STEM fields. 

The Urbana-Champaign Senate recently voted not only to continue to urge showing support for women in STEM fields in its recruitment efforts — but also to add a counterpart statue of a female engineer to complement Grainger Bob. Although many are concerned with exactly how effectively a statue will increase female representation within the College of Engineering, we see a different advantage here. 

A statue, a public piece of art viewable to everyone, is a simple acknowledgement and representation of the women who commit themselves to the College of Engineering, as well as the groups who work tirelessly to promote these fields to younger generations of women.

The overall idea is to reinforce and strengthen the presence of women in STEM fields — both visually and mentally.

Two University students also took on this challenge by starting their own doll line: Miss Possible, which are 10-year-old versions of inspirational women, such as Marie Curie. The idea isn’t necessarily about making a profit, but rather giving women the opportunity to see themselves represented through prominent female figures and scientists.

Co-founder Janna Eaves said it best: “When you have girls growing up surrounded by Barbie and princess movies and women are sexualized all the time in TV, it’s hard to make the connection that I can go out and change the world too because you just don’t go out and see women doing that around you.”

This inspiration is the hope that young women are armed with — with these dolls, or with open house exhibits such as the Engineering Open House geared toward women, or the addition of a female statue to complement Grainger Bob.

That’s what these fields are missing — marketing and representation. Because with existing stereotypes, women are less likely to pursue these fields in favor of a liberal arts education, or a field that they see more women represented in. That change needs to start with the students here, some who are already taking steps to make these fields more relatable to women and younger generations of women.

The University’s College of Engineering is one of the most well-known and highest-ranked programs in the country, and for it to continue to excel at its mission, women need the opportunity to play larger roles within.

But with the number of female engineering students just more than 17 percent now, any initiative, as small as it may appear, is certainly worth considering.