Three of America’s top female meteorologists have a message for viewers out there: it’s time to ditch the term “weather girl.”
Chief meteorologists from three channels — ABC News’ Ginger Zee, NBC News’ Janice Huff, and The Weather Channel’s Jen Cafagno — all cheered the idea of getting rid of the dismissive phrase that suggests that female meteorologists aren’t serious scientists during a panel discussion on The Weather Channel show "Wx Geeks."
During the panel, Dr. Marshall Shepherd, a professor at the University of Georgia, asked all three women about what it takes to be a female scientist — particularly in a male-dominated field like meteorology — and how they can encourage young girls to follow in their footsteps.
“We discuss their challenges, career evolution, and thoughts on how to improve the situation. By the way, the fact that two of our guests are Chief Meteorologists is rare in itself (sadly),” shared Shepherd in a blog post.
Shepherd’s first question is on “the challenge of family” and the second is about what the world can do to encourage more girls to enter science careers.
Carfagno skips first question, jumping straight into stating that she believes women scientists and science lovers need to be portrayed not “as playing the role of geeky girl wearing glasses, [who] takes them off when she sees a boy” but that media needs “a strong embracing of female scientists.”
“There’s a big disparity on the general population versus how many people are in the geosciences, and men still dominate,” said Huff, Chief Meteorologist at NBC’s New York station, WNBC, New York.
In the US women make up only 10% to 12% of chief meteorologists in news broadcasting, a fact other journalism experts and practitioners say has made the term “weather girl” that much more damaging to the women already facing challenges in the industry.
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“You could make the argument that women are making more headway in sports than they’ve made in weather,” said Bob Papper, RTDNA survey director and Hofstra University professor of journalism. “[Weather is] just not a strong area for women.”
“You’re constantly fighting the ‘weather girl’ stigma,” said Kendra Kent, Chief Meteorologist for WHNS Greenville. “Whoever came up with that term really jinxed us these last few decades.”
Meteorology is a branch of atmospheric science. It’s defined as as the “the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere.” To become a meteorologists, a person generally needs a four-year college degree which covers advanced physics, mathematics, chemistry, and often computer programming. To teach or manage research in the field a person needs Masters degree in science or a Ph.D, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
Meteorologists can work in the military, energy production, agriculture, and even transport and production. They are essential to each of these fields, where they share predictions about temperature, precipitation, drought, and emergency weather events through the news to inform millions of citizens.
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The few female meteorologists, who do make it in news broadcasting know they are no “weather bunnies.” Still, there is much work to be done to break gender biases for female scientists on television and encourage younger girls to enter STEM fields.
Huff acknowledged the American Geophysical Union and the work they are doing trying to keep young girls and minorities in the geoscience field as one example making a difference.
“I think getting them so early, and inspiring them the whole way. Don’t let ‘em go,” Zee adds.
Meteorology is a perfect example of an area where gender stereotypes in professions can hold women back.
“Let’s abolish the term ‘weather girl.’ Respect these young women for what they are: scientists,” Shepherd concluded.