---
title: Standing Tall—and Orange—for Science
date: 2022-03-16T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/standing-tall-and-orange-for-science"
section: Articles
---
# Standing Tall—and Orange—for Science

*March 16, 2022* — by [Sala Levin ’10](/author/sala-levin-10)


> UMD Professor Is Part of Smithsonian Statue Exhibit Celebrating Women in STEM

*Getty Images 1379407692 1920x1080 — Mercedes Taylor, a UMD chemist, is one of 120 women in STEM whose statues surround the National Mall. Taylor, (below, left of statue) experienced her likeness with U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm (right of statue) and other leaders from the Department of Energy.*

Mercedes Taylor came face to face with herself as a life-size statue on the National Mall and thought, “Is that how tall I am?” Somehow, the height was more of a shock than the statue’s neon orange hue.

The assistant professor in UMD’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is one of 120 women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) now being honored on the Mall and a number of Smithsonian museums in a temporary showcase. “#IfThenSheCan—The Exhibit,” part of the Smithsonian’s “[Women’s Futures Month](https://www.si.edu/womensfuturesmonth),” will run through March 27, coinciding with much of Women’s History Month.


*Mercedes Taylor with her orange statue, part of “#IfThenSheCan—The Exhibit”*




**Topics:** [People](https://today.umd.edu/tags/people)


**Tags:** [Chemistry and Biochemistry](https://today.umd.edu/topic/chemistry-and-biochemistry), [Gender](https://today.umd.edu/topic/gender)


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