Meet Hannah Butler
Hannah Butler is running a "Make Your Own Chapstick" chemistry lab at an all girls summit in Bridgeport, CT. This lab was intended to introduce young girls to the concept of chemistry, scientific procedure, scientific language, etc. Through a lesson plan she developed, girls were able to combine everyday materials into their very own lip balm, however, they first had to learn and recognize the "substances" by their chemical names.
Hannah, a full-time graduate student and the Founder of the nonprofit Petals and S.T.E.M., holds a Bachelor of Science with a Psychology minor from Post University (2021) and is currently pursuing her MHS in Biomedical Sciences at Quinnipiac University (2026).
In her spare time, Hannah indulges in painting, creating portrait sketches, baking, and engaging in community service projects. However, most of her free time is dedicated to running Petals and S.T.E.M., a nonprofit focused on providing mentorship to young women of color in the tri-state area pursuing higher education in STEM fields.
When did your love of STEM begin?
My mother played a key role in developing my love for STEM. My mother made sure to instill in me from a young age that, not only can science be interesting and enjoyable, but that having a career in STEM was obtainable for me as a young woman of color. I remember the multitude of science experiments and experience we would perform together: from creating a caterpillar terrarium and learning about metamorphosis from anatomy lessons with "George the Skeleton" and learning about all 206 bones in the body. Perhaps my most vivid memory is performing a life saving surgery on my Barbie dolls "broken" limbs using my toy doctor's kit, with my mother by my side as my surgical assistant. While the days of fake stethoscopes and band-aids soiled with strawberry Welch's jam are long gone, I often reflect on those pure, inspiring memories as I pursue medical school in adulthood. I am forever grateful for my mother and the way in which she broadened my horizons as a young girl.
What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?
As a woman of color in STEM, my passion lies in being the representation, role model, and cultural symbol for other young girls within my community and abroad who may feel confined by societal boundaries to education. I hail from a community where more people find themselves in orange jumpsuits than white coats and where criminal records are longer than academic records. With the odds against us, many young women within our community don't believe that a college degree, much less a graduate or doctoral degree is a possibility for them. While I truly enjoy biology and biomedical sciences, the goal for me is so much deeper than receiving an MD or being involved in the sciences. My excitement lies in one day being able to treat black and brown patients from a cultural standpoint and to give personalized advice and approaches to medical treatment. Maybe that means giving advice on how to make a low sodium version of a soul food recipe. Perhaps that means discussing the effects of chemical relaxers on reproduction and uterine health. Maybe that means simply seeing the smile on a young girl's face when they realize their doctor looks like them. That, for me, will be the best part of working in STEM.
What advice would you give young women interested in a career in STEM?
Seek Sisterhood. I feel as though sisterhood has been one of my main motivating factors during adulthood when it comes to remaining steadfast in my education. You often hear the cliche sentiments of being able to do anything as long as you put your mind to it, but the truth is, sometimes life happens and your mind simply does not want to do it anymore. In those moments, that's where I have leaned on the shoulders of my fellow "sisters in STEM." As women, we often share similar struggles when it comes to pursuing our education even outside of the microaggressions society presents. From navigating relationships to balancing all that comes with girlhood while in a male dominated field, it's so important to have a solid group of girls that you can run to when times get hard. On a similar note, surround yourself with like-minded people on similar paths. It only takes one negative sentiment to plant a seed of disruption in your education. Seek sisterhood and find a solid support system.