Alameda Non-Profit Gets $900K Science, Technology, Engineering, Math Grant For Women

ALAMEDA (CBS SF) -- Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, announced Thursday a federal grant of nearly $900,000 for an Alameda-based organization that helps to close the gender gap for women and girls in male-dominated careers.

The Institute for Women in Trades, Technology and Science (IWITTS) will receive the $899,841 grant from the National Science Foundation to help increase enrollment and retention of women in community college science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses.

IWITTS provides training, technical assistance and classroom tools for educators and also works with employers to integrate women successfully into workplaces that are traditionally male-dominated, according to Lee's office.

"I am pleased that the Institute for Women in Trades, Technology and Science has been selected to receive this important and competitive funding," Lee said in a statement.

"It is our obligation to ensure that young women are both encouraged and supported as they pursue studies and careers in STEM related fields so they are prepared to contribute and thrive in the economy of the future," she said.

© Copyright 2014 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed