Lyda Hill Funds TV Show for Teen Girls to Help Narrow the STEM Gender Gap

The Dallas philanthropist Lyda Hill has devoted much of her giving to tackling social problems through science. Her Lyda Hill Philanthropies supports museums, basic research, and programs like National Geographic Explorers. Over the last few years, the grant maker also has ventured into media production: financing and helping develop a TV series, “Mission Unstoppable,” aimed at girls aged 12 to 17 and featuring women succeeding in science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM, careers.

“We’re looking to create a culture shift in how girls see themselves in the world,” says Nicole Small, who previously led Dallas’ Perot Museum of Nature and Science. “Whether or not viewers pursue a career in STEM, we hope that they see themselves as meaningful contributors to change in the world and understand how important science is to the world around them.”