#United States #Dallas #IfThenSheCan #STEMWomen #FIFAFestival

Women in STEM at FIFA Fan Festival Dallas

As global attention turns to Dallas for the FIFA World Cup this summer, a compelling exhibit awaits at the FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas held at Fair Park. From June 11 to July 19, the festival will feature 26 life-sized statues of women who are pioneers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), brought to life by the IF/THEN® Initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies. This exhibit, titled #IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit Game Changers, focuses on how women are reshaping the landscape of sports through their expertise behind the scenes.

Recognizing the important role STEM plays in sports, the exhibit celebrates the contributions of women from diverse backgrounds and professions, all of whom are leading innovations in the sports industry. The installation includes figures from 11 different U.S. states, each one symbolizing a pathway for young girls to envision themselves in STEM careers. As visitors enter the festival, they will be greeted by statues representing accomplished individuals like Sarah Mallepalle, a data analyst in Dallas, and Julie Foudy, a soccer legend and broadcaster from California.

The creators of this project hope that by showcasing these talented women, they will inspire the next generation to explore careers in STEM fields. Nicole Small, CEO of Lyda Hill Philanthropies, remarked, "Sports captivate young people everywhere. By highlighting women thriving in STEM careers linked to sports, we aim to demonstrate the varied opportunities available for their futures."

Each statue incorporates QR codes that lead to digital stories filled with photos and videos that narrate the personal and professional journeys of these impactful figures. This initiative persists beyond just celebrating women; it aims to inspire a shift in how society perceives gender roles in STEM, especially within the context of sports—one of the most significant cultural platforms worldwide.

Monica Paul, President of the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee, expressed excitement about the exhibit, stating, "We are thrilled to showcase these statues during FIFA Fan Festival Dallas. These works will highlight the powerful influences these women have had throughout their lives, and we hope it resonates with fans from around the world."

The free exhibit represents the second installment of the IF/THEN® initiative, which aims to elevate women in STEM as role models. In its inaugural showcase, #IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit, featured a historic 120 statues of contemporary women in STEM, marking it as the largest assembly of statues honoring real women ever displayed simultaneously in the U.S. Since its launch in 2019, the IF/THEN® initiative has reached over five million visitors across various locations, further amplifying the representation of women in these critical fields.

As part of its ongoing commitment to cultural change and representation, the upcoming exhibit seeks to spark ambition in young attendees. With many of the featured women expected to attend the festival to interact with participants, there will be opportunities for direct engagement and encouragement in STEM fields. Lyda Hill, the initiative's founder, hopes this exhibit allows every young person who experiences it to feel they belong in science, technology, engineering, and math, asserting, "If they can see it, then they can be it."

Located at the Southwest Entry Gate within the festival grounds, these statues will greet thousands of fans daily. As a platform for impacting future generations, the exhibit serves as an incredible opportunity for children and young adults to envision vibrant futures in fields historically underrepresented by women. For further details on attending the FIFA Fan Festival, visit DallasFWC26.com/FIFAFanFestival-Dallas.