Njema Frazier, a theoretical nuclear physicist, was recently named the STEM Tech Recipient at the 2017 Black Girls Rock! Awards, an annual televised honor dedicated to influential black women, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) reported.
Frazier has been a part of the NNSA since 2001. She is the acting director and the first black scientist to head the office. Additionally, Frazier was the first black woman to earn a bachelor's degree in physics from Carnegie Mellon University, as well as the first to earn a Ph.D. in nuclear physics from Michigan State University.
“I am so excited and honored to represents Black girls – and women – that rock in STEM," Frazier said in a press release. "It is so important that young girls see that scientists come in all colors, all genders, all shapes, all sizes, all ages. I hope that seeing a ‘real person’ that looks like them will open new worlds in science and math in science, technology, engineering, and math, because Black girls do indeed rock!"
As a recipient for the award, Frazier is being recognized as a stellar role model.
Black Girls Rock! was created as an initiative to build the self-esteem of black girls involved in STEM programs. It has grown into a televised award show that honors black women who excel in their profession and serve as positive role models for black girls and others.
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