---
title: "Restroom Message Campaign Encourages Women in Math: ‘Stick’ With It"
date: 2024-01-24T05:30:00-05:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/restroom-message-campaign-encourages-women-in-math-stick-with-it"
section: Articles
---
# Restroom Message Campaign Encourages Women in Math: ‘Stick’ With It

*January 24, 2024* — by [Sala Levin ’10](/author/sala-levin-10)


> Female Students, Staff Share Notes to Boost Each Other’s Spirits

*Kirwan Hall Math Sticky Notes 01102024 SC 0324 1920x1080 — Sticky notes with encouraging messages dot the walls of two bathrooms in William E. Kirwan Hall, home to the math department. Program Manager Jessica Sadler launched the project to build camaraderie among women in STEM.*

Women generally don’t flock to the mathematics department; despite ongoing efforts to open the field to all, they’re underrepresented in the discipline around the nation and at the University of Maryland. But William E. Kirwan Hall, headquarters of math on campus, has one place guaranteed to draw a crowd: the restroom.

Two of them are now neon oases of encouragement, as a riot of purple, pink, yellow, blue and orange sticky notes brighten the beige-tiled wall and mirrors with rallying cries: “Take one day at a time,” “I can and I will” and “In the words of Dory: Just keep swimming.”

These dozens of tiny boosts are the results of a project spearheaded by Jessica Sadler, a program manager in the Department of Mathematics, to foster a sense of camaraderie among women in STEM. Inspired by National Do Something Nice Day, she bought a stack of Post-its and pens and left them in the first- and third-floor bathrooms in November with instructions for visitors.


*sticky notes that read, "I can and I will," "finals will be over soon," "you are loved," live love women in the math building"*




**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Gender](https://today.umd.edu/topic/gender), [Mathematics](https://today.umd.edu/topic/mathematics), [Student Experience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-experience)


**Units:** [College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-computer-mathematical-and-natural-sciences)