Trailblazer: Alaskas Charitie Ropati named to Forbes 30 Under 30 for empowering Alaska Native girls in STEM [Video]

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Charitie Ropati is breaking barriers and building futures.

The Alaska Native advocate and educator has been named to Forbes 30 Under 30, a recognition of her groundbreaking work with lilnativegirlinSTEM. Ropati created the initiative to inspire and empower Indigenous girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Through workshops, mentorship programs, and advocacy, she’s creating a pathway for young Native girls to see themselves represented in these fields.

“I always saw and grew up seeing so many women … leading our communities,” Ropati said. “Even Native-led organizations, being led by a woman, being led by our aunties, and it’s incredible work because it’s rooted in the rights of our people and the sovereignty of our people, but it also follows this like matrilineal line.

“It benefits everyone because when those who are most marginalized are kind of leading those fronts, we were able to …