Everywhere She Maps is a targeted training program designed to increase women’s participation within the YouthMappers network and rapidly expanding industries that utilize geospatial technologies. Three core activities are being carried out to achieve this goal: a leadership program for women in technology, Everywhere She Maps Regional Ambassadorship, and mapping and geospatial data creation relevant to women’s needs. Ms. Courtney Clark will join the American Geographical Society (AGS) as a Manager of Sponsored Projects and direct the Everywhere She Maps program on behalf of YouthMappers and AGS.
AGS has partnered with YouthMappers for several years and is committed to furthering the collaboration between the two organizations. Ms. Clark will also be leading the educational efforts in relation to the AGS Advanced Placement Human Geography support initiatives.
Ms. Clark, based in the U.S. state of Ohio, has over eight years of experience in open mapping, international development, workforce development, and project management. She recently earned the degree of Master’s in Business Administration from Ohio State University. Notably, she founded and led the United States Peace Corps’ Open Mapping Program in 2015 and 2016. On starting her new role, Ms. Clark shared,
“The YouthMappers network and the American Geographical Society alike are at the forefront of critical efforts to educate and involve a new generation in open mapping. I am thrilled for the opportunity to help increase gender equity in OpenStreetMap and to empower women university students to advance professionally and develop as leaders.”
This program was launched on November 12, 2020 to address the underrepresentation of women in the geospatial community. Through Everywhere She Maps, young women will grow their professional and networking skills and broaden their technical proficiency. Resulting in increased engagement by women in the geospatial industry, leading to a stronger and more accurate representation of half of the world’s population in mapping and geospatial data collection. Because after all — everywhere she maps, she makes a difference!
About The American Geographical Society: The American Geographical Society (AGS) is a 21st-century learning society dedicated to the advancement of geographic thinking, knowledge, and understanding across business, government, academe, social sectors, and most importantly with teachers and students. Established in 1851, AGS is the oldest professional geographical organization in the United States. It is recognized worldwide as a pioneer in geographical research and education for over 170 years. The mission of AGS is to advance and promote geography in business, government, science, and education. Our goal is to enhance the nation’s geographic literacy to engender sound public policy, national security, and human well-being worldwide. AGS seeks to engage the American public, from its youngest to its oldest citizens, with new and amazing ways to understand and characterize our changing world. The Society maintains its headquarters in New York City.
About YouthMappers: YouthMappers is an international network of 260 university-student-led campus chapters in 57 countries. The network uses public geospatial technologies to identify and directly address development challenges worldwide. YouthMappers’ organizing institutions are Texas Tech University, The George Washington University, West Virginia University, and Arizona State University. The United States Agency for International Development generously supports YouthMappers through a grant from the US Global Development Lab’s GeoCenter. Everywhere She Maps activities are supported by funding from the W-GDP.
For more information about Everywhere She Maps, visit www.everywhereshemaps.org.