Jump to content

Graduate Women in Science: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m →top: Crest cleanup
 
(26 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American women's science organization}}
{{Short description|American women's science organization}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}{{Infobox fraternity
{{In use}}
{{Infobox fraternity
| name = Graduate Women in Science
| name = Graduate Women in Science
| letters = GWIS
| letters = GWIS
| crest = File:The_logo_of_the_Graduate_Women_in_Science.jpg
| crest = The_logo_of_the_Graduate_Women_in_Science.jpg
| image_size = 160px
| image_size = 160px
| founded = {{start date and years ago|1921|05|24}}
| founded = {{start date and age|1921|05|24}}
| birthplace = [[Cornell University]]
| birthplace = [[Cornell University]]
| affiliation = Independent
| affiliation = [[American Association for the Advancement of Science]]
| type = Professional
| type = <!--Professional? or Honor? (Probably a Recognition society, but that grouping has largely been moved into the "honor" category.-->
| emphasis = Science
| emphasis = Science and math
| scope = International
| scope = International
| status = Active
| status = Active
Line 19: Line 17:
| members = 1,000
| members = 1,000
| lifetime =
| lifetime =
| symbol = [[Benzene ring|Benzene]], [[thunderbolt]], [[Nabla symbol|Nabla]]
| colors = [[File:Spectrum color swatch.png|14px]] [[Visible spectrum|the Spectrum]]
| free_label = Former name
| free_label = Former name
| free = Sigma Delta Epsilon
| free = Sigma Delta Epsilon
Line 26: Line 26:
| postal code = 08062
| postal code = 08062
| country = United States
| country = United States
| website = {{url|https://www.gwis.org/}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.gwis.org/}}
}}
}}
'''Graduate Women in Science''' ('''GWIS'''), formerly known as '''Sigma Delta Epsilon''', is an international organization for women in [[science]]. It was established in 1921 at [[Cornell University]] in [[Ithaca, New York]], United States.The organization is a non-profit [[501(c)(3)]] organization that works to connect, lead, and empower [[women in science]]. It has over 1,000 members and more than 30 active chapters.
'''Graduate Women in Science''' ('''GWIS'''), formerly known as '''Sigma Delta Epsilon''' ('''ΣΔΕ'''), is an international professional organization for [[women in science]]. It was established as a scientific women's [[fraternity]] in 1921 at [[Cornell University]], United States. It played an important role for women scientists for some fifty years when they were not allowed membership in most mainstream scientific organizations. GWIS is a non-profit [[501(c)(3)]] organization with over 1,000 active members and more than 30 active chapters.


==History==
==History==
GWIS was established on May 24, 1921, at Cornell University by women pursuing graduate degrees in the sciences.<ref name=":2">Robson, John, ed. (1963). ''Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities'' (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. pp. 693</ref> The organization was named the '''Sigma Delta Epsilon'''—SDE for short.<ref name=":2" /> In 1922, a similar local group for women at the [[University of Wisconsin–Madison]] agreed to merge with Sigma Delta Epsilon, establishing a national fraternity.<ref name=":2" /> Its purpose was "to further interest in science, to provide a fraternity for the recognition of women in science, and to bring them together in fraternal relationship".<ref name=":2" />
Sigma Delta Epsilon was established at Cornell University in [[Ithaca, New York]] by [[Adele Gerard Lewis Grant|Adele Lewis Grant]] on May 24, 1921. It was founded as a fraternity for women pursuing graduate degrees in the sciences.<ref name=":2">Robson, John, ed. (1963). ''Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities'' (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. pp. 693</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |date=July 29, 1921 |title=Announcement of the founding of Sigma Delta Epsilon |url=https://digital.library.cornell.edu/catalog/ss:575234 |journal=Science |volume=54 |via=Cornel University Library Digital Collections}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Sigma Delta Epsilon Iota Chapter |url=https://archives.nebraska.edu/agents/corporate_entities/715 |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=Nebraska Archives Online |publisher=University of Nebraska}}</ref> Its stated purpose was "to further interest in science, recognize women involved in science, and unite them through friendship".<ref name=":5" />


Initially, Sigma Delta Epsilon had 25 student members and eight honorary members, who were professional women who had achieved recognition in science.<ref name=":3" /> Its first officers were Adele Lewis Grant, president; [[Katherine Van Winkle Palmer|Katherine Van Winkle]], vice president; Josephine Overton Sonders, secretary; and [[Hazel Elisabeth Branch|Hazel Elizabeth Branch]], treasurer.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> Sigma Delta Epsilon had a [[fraternity house]] where its members could live.<ref name=":3" />
[[Adele Gerard Lewis Grant]] served as its first president.<ref name=":4" /> Sigma Delta Epsilon was incorporated in the state of New York in April 1922.<ref name=":2" /> Its first national convention was held in 1922. It joined the American Association for the Advancement of Science as an associated member in 1936 and as an affiliated member in 1939.<ref name=":2" />


In 1922, a similar local group for women at the [[University of Wisconsin–Madison]] agreed to merge with Sigma Delta Epsilon, establishing a national fraternity.<ref name=":2" /> Its purpose was "to further interest in science, to provide a fraternity for the recognition of women in science, and to bring them together in a fraternal relationship".<ref name=":2" />
In 1931, GWIS established its Formal Fellowships Fund. Its First Research Fellowship was awarded in 1941.<ref name=":2" /> In 1970, the [[Eloise Gerry]] Fellowship Fund, the first of the GWIS fellowships funded by a single individual rather than by fundraising and small membership contributions, was established.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.gwis.org/page/history|title=GWIS History - Graduate Women In Science|website=www.gwis.org|access-date=2017-03-10}}</ref>


Sigma Delta Epsilon was incorporated in the state of New York in April 1922.<ref name=":2" /> It held its first national convention on April 20, 1922.<ref name=":4" /> It joined the [[American Association for the Advancement of Science]] (AAAS) as an associate member in 1936 and as an affiliated member in 1939.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 1, 1949 |title=Sigma Delta Epsilon Established at University |url=https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=ALU19490201-01.2.19&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------1 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=Purdue Alumnus |via=Purdue University Archives and Special Collections |volume=36 |issue=5}}</ref> In this era when mainstream scientific organizations did not give women full membership, Sigma Delta Epsilon "filled an important niche", according to Margaret Rossiter.<ref name=":6" /> Hazel Fox was the only woman on the AAAS Council at the time, as a representative of Sigma Delta Epsilon.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rossiter |first=Margaret W. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Women_Scientists_in_America/m_PU_TupLosC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22sigma%20delta%20epsilon%22%20-wikipedia |title=Women Scientists in America: Forging a New World Since 1972 |date=2012-04-02 |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |isbn=978-1-4214-0233-8 |page=8 |language=en |via=Google Books}}</ref>
Graduate Women in Science is a non-profit [[501(c)(3)]] organization that works to connect, lead, and empower [[women in science]]. Its mission is "building a global community to inspire, support, recognize, and empower women in science." It has over 1,000 members and dozens of chapters spread across the United States, as well as an international chapter that was established in 2013. Its national office is in [[Mullica Hill, New Jersey]].

One of the organization's early activities was collecting money to distribute to other members needing research funds.<ref name=":7" /> In 1931, Sigma Delta Epsilon established a formal Fellowships Fund. Its first [[research fellowship]] was awarded in 1941.<ref name=":2" /> In 1970, [[Eloise Gerry]] established a fellowship, the first within the organization to be funded by a single individual.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=GWIS History |url=http://www.gwis.org/page/history |access-date=2017-03-10 |website=Graduate Women In Science}}</ref>

By the early 1970s, the fraternity was struggling from an increasing anti-fraternity sentiment on college campuses and competition from previously male-only organizations.<ref name=":6" /> Hoping to counter this, the fraternity changed its name to '''Sigma Delta Epsilon Graduate Women in Science''' in December 1971.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Rossiter |first=Margaret W. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Women_Scientists_in_America/m_PU_TupLosC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22sigma%20delta%20epsilon%22%20-wikipedia |title=Women Scientists in America: Forging a New World Since 1972 |date=2012-04-02 |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |isbn=978-1-4214-0233-8 |page= |pages=115, 255–256 |language=en |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> This was shortened to Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) on April 21, 2016.<ref name=":4" /> An international chapter was established in 2013.<ref name=":8" />


== Symbols ==
== Symbols ==
The motto of GWIS is "United in Friendship through Science".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://iowacity2.wixsite.com/gwis/about |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=GWIS Iowa City |language=en}}</ref> Its guiding principles or pillars are Connect, Lead, and Empower.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://syracuse45.wixsite.com/syracuse-gwis/blank-1 |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Syracuse GWIS |language=en}}</ref>
The motto of Graduate Women in Science is "United in Friendship through Science".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://iowacity2.wixsite.com/gwis/about |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=GWIS Iowa City |language=en}}</ref> Its guiding principles or pillars are Connect, Lead, and Empower.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://syracuse45.wixsite.com/syracuse-gwis/blank-1 |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Syracuse GWIS |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8" />


Its badge is a Nile key with the Greek letters '''ΣΔΕ''' in black enamel on its crossbar. Attached to the key are a benzene ring, a thunderbolt, and the nabla.<ref name=":2" /> Its colors are those of the [[spectrum]].<ref name=":2" />
Its badge is a Nile key with the Greek letters '''ΣΔΕ''' in black enamel on its crossbar. Attached to the key are a benzene ring, a thunderbolt, and the nabla.<ref name=":2" /> Its colors are those of the [[spectrum]].<ref name=":2" />

== Membership ==
Membership in the Graduate Women in Science is open to anyone, regardless of gender, who has at least a [[bachelor's degree]] in a scientific discipline.


== Activities ==
== Activities ==
Graduate Women in Science is a non-profit [[501(c)(3)]] organization that works to connect, lead, and empower [[women in science]]. Its mission is "building a global community to inspire, support, recognize, and empower women in science."<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Who We Are |url=https://www.gwis.org/page/who_we_are |access-date=September 23, 2024 |website=Graduate Women in Science}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> It has over 1,000 members and dozens of chapters spread across the United States, as well as an international chapter that was established in 2013.<ref name=":8" /> Its national office is in [[Mullica Hill, New Jersey]].<ref name=":8" />
GWIS offers grants, [[award]]s, and [[scholarship|fellowship]]s. It serves an international network of women scientists and promotes the participation and representation of women in science-related events. The GWIS National Meeting is held annually in June. It also sponsors additional [[Academic conference|meetings and symposia]]. The society publishes a monthly newsletter.

Graduate Women in Science offers grants, [[award]]s, and [[scholarship|fellowship]]s.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":4" /> It serves an international network of women scientists and promotes the participation and representation of women in science-related events.<ref name=":8" /> The GWIS National Meeting is held annually in June.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Conference |url=https://www.gwis.org/page/national_meeting |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=Graduate Women in Science}}</ref> It also sponsors mentoring, [[webinars]], and seminars featuring its member's research.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Research Seminars |url=https://www.gwis.org/page/national_meeting |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=Graduate Women in Science}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Upcoming Coffee and Conversation |url=https://www.gwis.org/page/Upcoming_CC |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=Graduate Women in Science}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mentoring Opportunites |url=https://www.gwis.org/page/mentoring |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=Graduate Women in Science}}</ref> The society publishes a monthly newsletter, ''GWIS Connect,'' and ''GWIS Lead'', a periodical that features women leaders in science.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Newsletters |url=https://www.gwis.org/page/NewsletterArchives |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=Graduate Women in Science}}</ref>

== Membership ==
Membership in the Graduate Women in Science is open to anyone who has at least a [[bachelor's degree]] in a scientific discipline and engineering, or equivalent professional experience.<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=Matyas |first=Marsha Lakes |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Science_and_Engineering_Programs/u_z2AYlU5P8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Graduate+Women+in+Science%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA71&printsec=frontcover |title=Science and Engineering Programs: On Target for Women? |last2=Dix |first2=Linda Skidmore |last3=Committee on Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine |first3= |last4=Ad Hoc Panel on Interventions |first4= |first5= |date=1992-02-01 |publisher=National Academies Press |isbn=978-0-309-04778-4 |page=71 |language=en}}</ref>


==Chapters ==
==Chapters ==
{{Main|List of Graduate Women in Science chapters}}
{{Main|List of Graduate Women in Science chapters}}
Graduate Women in Science has chartered more than 50 chapters and has more than 30 active chapters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapters |url=https://www.gwis.org/page/chapters |access-date=September 14, 2024 |website=Graduate Women in Science}}</ref><ref>[[Jack L. Anson|Anson, Jack L.]] and Marchesani Jr. Robert F., eds. ''Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 20h edition.'' Indianapolis: Baird's Manual Foundation, 1991'','' p. VII.48–VII49. [[ISBN (identifier)|ISBN]] [[Special:BookSources/0-9637159-0-9|0-9637159-0-9]]</ref><ref name=":2" />
Graduate Women in Science has chartered more than 50 chapters and has more than 30 active chapters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapters |url=https://www.gwis.org/page/chapters |access-date=September 14, 2024 |website=Graduate Women in Science}}</ref><ref>[[Jack L. Anson|Anson, Jack L.]] and Marchesani Jr. Robert F., eds. ''Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 20h edition.'' Indianapolis: Baird's Manual Foundation, 1991'','' p. VII.48–VII49. [[ISBN (identifier)|ISBN]] [[Special:BookSources/0-9637159-0-9|0-9637159-0-9]]</ref><ref name=":2" />

==Notable members==
==Notable members==
{{Main|List of Graduate Women in Science members}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"

!Name
!Chapter
!Notability
!References
|-
|[[Ruth M. Addoms]]
|
|Botanist at [[Duke University]]
|
|-
|[[Beulah Armstrong]]
|
|Mathematician and professor at the University of Illinois
|
|-
|[[Helen Calkins]]
|
|Mathematician and professor at the [[Pennsylvania College for Women]]
|
|-
|[[Margery C. Carlson]]
|
|[[Botanist]] and professor at [[Northwestern University]]
|<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=1937-12-27 |title=Woman Scientist to be Speaker at Luncheon |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-woman-scientist-to/155342460/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |work=The Indianapolis Star |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|-
|[[Martha E. Church]]
|
|[[Geographer]] and the first female president of [[Hood College]]
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=1971-04-08 |title=City Nativ Gets Education Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-city-nativ-gets-edu/135977137/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |work=The Pittsburgh Press |pages=20 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|-
|[[Teresa Cohen]]
|
|Mathematician and professor at [[Pennsylvania State University]]
|
|-
|[[Ethaline Hartge Cortelyou]]
|
|Chemist and scientific [[technical writer]] who worked on the [[Manhattan Project]] at the [[University of Chicago]]'s [[Metallurgical Laboratory]]
|
|-
|[[Rajammal P. Devadas]]
|
|[[Nutritionist]] and a former chancellor of [[Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women]]
|
|-
|[[Martha Doan]]
|Honorary, 1951
|Chemist and dean of women at [[Earlham College]] and [[Iowa Wesleyan University|Iowa Wesleyan College]].
|<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Honorary Members |url=https://www.gwis.org/page/honorary_members_all |access-date=September 15, 2024 |website=Graduate Women in Science}}</ref>
|-
|[[Bernice Durand]]
|
|Physicist, professor, and vice provost at the [[University of Wisconsin–Madison]]
|
|-
|[[Helen Dyer]]
|
|[[Biochemist]] and [[cancer]] researcher
|
|-
|[[Sophia Eckerson]]
|Honorary, 1941
|[[Botanist]], [[Microscale chemistry|microchemist]], and department chair at the [[Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research]]
|
|-
|[[Alice Catherine Evans]]
|Honorary, 1931
|Senior bacteriologist at the [[National Institutes of Health]]
|<ref name=":3" />
|-
|[[Aline Huke Frink]]
|''Nu'', 1936
|Mathematician and professor at [[Pennsylvania State University]]
|<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=January 24, 1936 |title=Local Scientific Club Joins National Group |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-jan-24-1936-2525205/ |access-date=September 15, 2024 |work=Penn State Collegian |via=Newspaper Archive}}</ref>
|-
|[[Adele Gerard Lewis Grant]]
|''Alpha'', 1921
|Botanist who taught at the [[Missouri Botanical Garden]], [[Cornell University]].the [[Huguenot Faculty]] in [[Wellington, South Africa]], and the [[University of California, Los Angeles]]
|<ref name=":4" />
|-
|[[Laura Hare]]
|
|Medical doctor, naturalist, and conservationist
|<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=About Dr. Laura Hare |url=https://haretrust.org/about-dr-laura-hare/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Hare Trust}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Laura Hare Nature Preserve at Downey Hill |url=https://sycamorelandtrust.org/preserves/the-laura-hare-nature-preserve-at-downey-hill/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Sycamore Land Trust}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-03-22 |title=Dr. Laura Hare |url=https://crownhillhf.org/dr-laura-hare/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Crown Hill Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Laura Hare Nature Preserve at Downey Hill |url=https://browncounty.com/do-list/laura-hare-nature-preserve-at-downey-hill/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Brown County Indiana |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-11 |title=Laura Hare Preserve at Blossom Hollow |url=https://conservingindiana.org/preserves/laura-hare-preserve-at-blossom-hollow/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Central Indiana Land Trust |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|[[Edith Haynes]]
|
|Professor of microbiology at the Indiana University School of Medicine
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edith Haynes: University Honors and Awards: Indiana University |url=https://honorsandawards.iu.edu/awards/honoree/8900.html |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=University Honors & Awards |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
|-
|[[Marie Agnes Hinrichs]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Elizabeth E. Hood]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Hope E. Hopps]]
|
|Co-developed the [[rubella vaccine]]
|<ref name="Obit_WaPo">{{cite news |title=HOPE E. HOPPS DIES AT 62 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1988/11/11/hope-e-hopps-dies-at-62/60e110e3-4d55-4047-902c-ad71483d0c79/ |access-date=2 September 2021 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>
|-
|[[Ariel Hollinshead]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Barbara Iglewski]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Roberta Frances Johnson]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Vivian Annabelle Johnson]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Lois Lampe]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Jean Langenheim]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Jean Langenheim]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Madge Macklin]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Lynne E. Maquat]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Eula Davis McEwan]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Nell I. Mondy]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Ethel Isabel Moody]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Dorothy Virginia Nightingale]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Katherine Van Winkle Palmer]]
|
|
|<ref name=":3" />
|-
|[[Sophy Parfin]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Edith Marion Patch]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Jeannette Piccard]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Dorothy Powelson]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Jessie Isabelle Price]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Johnnie Hines Watts Prothro]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Elizabeth Wagner Reed]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Nina Roscher]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Ernestine Hogan Basham Thurman]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Evelyn Butler Tilden]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Evelyn J. Weber]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Marion Webster]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Elizabeth Weisburger]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Cynthia Westcott]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Frances Wick]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Evelyn Prescott Wiggin]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[Emily Kathryn Wyant]]
|
|
|
|}
==See also==
==See also==


* [[List of organizations for women in science]]
* [[List of organizations for women in science]]
* [[List of women's associations]]
* [[List of women's associations]]
* [[Professional fraternities and sororities|Professional fraterniies and sororities]]
* [[Professional fraternities and sororities]]
* [[Women in science]]
* [[Women in science]]


Line 336: Line 84:
[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Student organizations established in 1921]]
[[Category:Student organizations established in 1921]]
[[Category:Women in science and technology]]
[[Category:Professional fraternities and sororities in the United States]]
[[Category:Professional fraternities and sororities in the United States]]
[[Category:Women in science and technology]]
[[Category:Women in mathematics]]
[[Category:Graduate Women in Science]]

Latest revision as of 20:19, 23 October 2024

Graduate Women in Science
GWIS
FoundedMay 24, 1921; 103 years ago (1921-05-24)
Cornell University
TypeProfessional
AffiliationAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science
StatusActive
EmphasisScience and math
ScopeInternational
Motto"United in Friendship through Science"
PillarsConnect, Lead, and Empower
Colors the Spectrum
SymbolBenzene, thunderbolt, Nabla
Chapters30+
Members1,000 active
Former nameSigma Delta Epsilon
HeadquartersP.O. Box 7
Mullica Hill, New Jersey 08062
United States
Websitewww.gwis.org

Graduate Women in Science (GWIS), formerly known as Sigma Delta Epsilon (ΣΔΕ), is an international professional organization for women in science. It was established as a scientific women's fraternity in 1921 at Cornell University, United States. It played an important role for women scientists for some fifty years when they were not allowed membership in most mainstream scientific organizations. GWIS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with over 1,000 active members and more than 30 active chapters.

History

[edit]

Sigma Delta Epsilon was established at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by Adele Lewis Grant on May 24, 1921. It was founded as a fraternity for women pursuing graduate degrees in the sciences.[1][2][3] Its stated purpose was "to further interest in science, recognize women involved in science, and unite them through friendship".[3]

Initially, Sigma Delta Epsilon had 25 student members and eight honorary members, who were professional women who had achieved recognition in science.[2] Its first officers were Adele Lewis Grant, president; Katherine Van Winkle, vice president; Josephine Overton Sonders, secretary; and Hazel Elizabeth Branch, treasurer.[2][4] Sigma Delta Epsilon had a fraternity house where its members could live.[2]

In 1922, a similar local group for women at the University of Wisconsin–Madison agreed to merge with Sigma Delta Epsilon, establishing a national fraternity.[1] Its purpose was "to further interest in science, to provide a fraternity for the recognition of women in science, and to bring them together in a fraternal relationship".[1]

Sigma Delta Epsilon was incorporated in the state of New York in April 1922.[1] It held its first national convention on April 20, 1922.[4] It joined the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) as an associate member in 1936 and as an affiliated member in 1939.[1][5] In this era when mainstream scientific organizations did not give women full membership, Sigma Delta Epsilon "filled an important niche", according to Margaret Rossiter.[6] Hazel Fox was the only woman on the AAAS Council at the time, as a representative of Sigma Delta Epsilon.[7]

One of the organization's early activities was collecting money to distribute to other members needing research funds.[8] In 1931, Sigma Delta Epsilon established a formal Fellowships Fund. Its first research fellowship was awarded in 1941.[1] In 1970, Eloise Gerry established a fellowship, the first within the organization to be funded by a single individual.[4]

By the early 1970s, the fraternity was struggling from an increasing anti-fraternity sentiment on college campuses and competition from previously male-only organizations.[6] Hoping to counter this, the fraternity changed its name to Sigma Delta Epsilon Graduate Women in Science in December 1971.[6][4] This was shortened to Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) on April 21, 2016.[4] An international chapter was established in 2013.[9]

Symbols

[edit]

The motto of Graduate Women in Science is "United in Friendship through Science".[10] Its guiding principles or pillars are Connect, Lead, and Empower.[11][9]

Its badge is a Nile key with the Greek letters ΣΔΕ in black enamel on its crossbar. Attached to the key are a benzene ring, a thunderbolt, and the nabla.[1] Its colors are those of the spectrum.[1]

Activities

[edit]

Graduate Women in Science is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that works to connect, lead, and empower women in science. Its mission is "building a global community to inspire, support, recognize, and empower women in science."[9][4] It has over 1,000 members and dozens of chapters spread across the United States, as well as an international chapter that was established in 2013.[9] Its national office is in Mullica Hill, New Jersey.[9]

Graduate Women in Science offers grants, awards, and fellowships.[9][4] It serves an international network of women scientists and promotes the participation and representation of women in science-related events.[9] The GWIS National Meeting is held annually in June.[12] It also sponsors mentoring, webinars, and seminars featuring its member's research.[13][14][15] The society publishes a monthly newsletter, GWIS Connect, and GWIS Lead, a periodical that features women leaders in science.[16]

Membership

[edit]

Membership in the Graduate Women in Science is open to anyone who has at least a bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline and engineering, or equivalent professional experience.[8]

Chapters

[edit]
Main article: List of Graduate Women in Science chapters

Graduate Women in Science has chartered more than 50 chapters and has more than 30 active chapters.[17][18][1]

Notable members

[edit]
Main article: List of Graduate Women in Science members

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Robson, John, ed. (1963). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. pp. 693
  2. ^ a b c d "Announcement of the founding of Sigma Delta Epsilon". Science. 54. July 29, 1921 – via Cornel University Library Digital Collections.
  3. ^ a b "Sigma Delta Epsilon Iota Chapter". Nebraska Archives Online. University of Nebraska. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "GWIS History". Graduate Women In Science. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  5. ^ "Sigma Delta Epsilon Established at University". Purdue Alumnus. Vol. 36, no. 5. February 1, 1949. Retrieved September 16, 2024 – via Purdue University Archives and Special Collections.
  6. ^ a b c Rossiter, Margaret W. (April 2, 2012). Women Scientists in America: Forging a New World Since 1972. Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 115, 255–256. ISBN 978-1-4214-0233-8 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ Rossiter, Margaret W. (April 2, 2012). Women Scientists in America: Forging a New World Since 1972. Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 8. ISBN 978-1-4214-0233-8 – via Google Books.
  8. ^ a b Matyas, Marsha Lakes; Dix, Linda Skidmore; Committee on Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine; Ad Hoc Panel on Interventions (February 1, 1992). Science and Engineering Programs: On Target for Women?. National Academies Press. p. 71. ISBN 978-0-309-04778-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ a b c d e f g "Who We Are". Graduate Women in Science. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  10. ^ "About". GWIS Iowa City. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  11. ^ "About". Syracuse GWIS. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  12. ^ "National Conference". Graduate Women in Science. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  13. ^ "Research Seminars". Graduate Women in Science. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  14. ^ "Upcoming Coffee and Conversation". Graduate Women in Science. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  15. ^ "Mentoring Opportunites". Graduate Women in Science. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  16. ^ "Newsletters". Graduate Women in Science. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  17. ^ "Chapters". Graduate Women in Science. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  18. ^ Anson, Jack L. and Marchesani Jr. Robert F., eds. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 20h edition. Indianapolis: Baird's Manual Foundation, 1991, p. VII.48–VII49. ISBN 0-9637159-0-9
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Graduate_Women_in_Science&oldid=1252982444"