Encountering Sexism in the Field: How to Maintain Composure as an Expert, While Shutting Down Toxic Behavior

It is no secret that women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields are the minority, and this holds true for the meteorological community, including the National Weather Service (NWS). A part of the responsibility of the NWS is to provide on-site support for large events to assist local officials with life-saving decisions in the face of hazardous weather.

At one such event, myself and one other forecaster, two early-career women with the NWS office in Huntsville, AL were deployed to provide on-site support amidst a risk of strong to severe thunderstorms that day. We kept event officials constantly updated with the latest timing and intensity forecast for the imminent thunderstorms. As word began to spread that impending storms would likely shut down the event, two men (who had no authority or responsibilities within the event) began interrogating us in the Unified Command Center with intentional attempts to fluster and undermine our authority. This was all in addition to several sexist remarks, calling for “women to make up their minds” and indicating chest-grabbing motions in an attempt to quote Mean Girls to us, as though we were no better than the quoted character, Karen. Subsequently, openly racist and harassing comments were made to the forecasters about other attendees at the event.

Admittedly and regrettably, we did not say anything back to the men, nor to the Emergency Manager in charge of the event. It is our hope that this presentation will help provide guidance to other women in the field, particularly as the NWS evolves toward a more decision support services-focused mission.