Poem penned by Keighley College student is chosen for book

Masie Eccles, from East Morton, was inspired to write the piece – You’ll see – after participating in an event staged as part of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

She and other female students from schools and colleges across the north visited the Hitachi Rail plant in County Durham.

They learned about roles including engineering and marketing and avenues into careers.

The visit was organised through Bradford Council’s Careers Technical Education partnership and the Industrial Centre of Excellence scheme, working with Community Rail Lancashire and Bishop Line Community Rail.

Its aim was to showcase to young women STEM-related career opportunities, in industries that are typically male-dominated.

Masie’s subsequent poem was chosen to feature in Women in STEM 2020, a booklet published by Community Rail Lancashire.

A launch event took place at the National Railway Museum in York, when the spotlight was shone on how the rail and community rail sectors are striving to create a more inclusive workplace. Among those present was the Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Janet Looker.

Lizzie Sagar, Masie’s tutor at Keighley College, said: “We were over the moon to hear that Masie’s poem had been selected for this extraordinary booklet.

“Her writing underpins women’s determination to achieve their full potential.

“At Keighley College, we’re dedicated to providing our students with the skills and experience needed to establish careers in STEM.”

* Masie’s poem:

I’m tangled in my wires, my brain is fused to be, your harsh words are hurting.

It’s never stopping me.

I’ve got a plan, and I don’t need reminding that I’m not a man,

No I don’t need your help, no I don’t need a hand.

I don’t need a man’s assistance to show my plan will land.

I tell them, “be wise!”you’ll soon be working for me.

They laugh in my face,

I exclaim,

“You’ll see

You’ll see

You’ll see”