Wash. student lifts other women in STEM
A quick scroll of Merrill Keating’s LinkedIn profile offers the views, achievement and advice of a seasoned pro. There’s mention of board appointments, shared articles on leadership, recognitions for the organizations she’s founded.
Keating, a Seattle resident who grew up on Bainbridge Island, Washington, is posting – and being posted about – authentically. She’s founded and hosted TEDx events, launched a magazine, been part of a United Nations project that connects to space exploration agencies, and organized women both in her community and around the world to focus on STEM and advocate to open doors for girls who will change the world.
Oh, and she’s also 19 years old and a pending graduate in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington.
“A lot of women and girls in STEM have an imposter syndrome,” Keating said during an interview at the university’s Robinson Center Academy, a program for early college enrollees she was accepted to at just 15 years old. “To have someone show them they fully deserve to be there, the little inspirations are what make me really happy.”
Keating is the USA TODAY Woman of the Year honoree for Washington.
Keating doesn’t just talk about a vision. Her advocacy for women in science, technology, engineering and math comes through in what she’s done. She joined a coding club at a young age, witnessing the need for more female role models in technology, and she’s now a board member for the organization that connects students to technology across her hometown community. She parlayed that into a nonprofit, Girls Ignited, which inspires change and spotlights leadership by creating campaigns or organizing events with young women who are inventors, businesses founders or nonprofit leaders. One of her latest endeavors is “The Power of 100 Girls,” a collective giving organization.
Keating still has a few months before graduation and the next plan. But looking at her resume, or that LinkedIn page, you know something significant is likely coming.
Or, as she says: “Everything is a step in the right direction.”
Question: Who paved the way for you?
Answer: I know it’s an obvious and common answer, but my parents. They are givers and very involved in every community in which they’ve lived or worked. My mother was particularly instrumental as someone who overcomes intersectional issues as a successful, intelligent and successful woman of color. Her focus has always been to change the status quo so those who followed in her path would have it better. I adopted that philosophy into my own life as a young woman of color in STEM who has a passion for leadership and inspiring others. My dad is also in STEM and has been a champion for me, my mom and women in general. There are a few others whose examples I look to and admire. Lynn Brunelle, Dr. Joseph Williams, Hilary Franz and several teachers and administrators at Bainbridge Island School District such as Warren Read, Wendy Kozina, Tim Harris, Enrique Chee. I’ve known most of them my entire life, and they have been amazing trailblazers and encouragers.
What is your definition of courage? I’m an introvert and despite how much I put myself out there, I am very private. Courage is being afraid and doing it anyway.
Is there a guiding principle or mantra you tell yourself ?
Find the good, be the good, bring others with you.
What advice would you give your younger self ?
When people were cruel to me, it was tough not to take it personally. I would tell my younger self some things aren’t your problem to solve and aren’t about you, and to persevere because it gets better.