Leadership (2008-2009)
Executive Board 2008-2009
Board Of Directors 2008-2009
2008-2009 GWIS Officers and Commitee Members
Officers
President - Diane Wotta (Xi) (drwotta@comcast.net)
President-Elect - JoAnn Schrass (Omicron) (jschrass@umw.edu)
Vice-President- Jennifer Ingram (Omega) (jennifer.ingram@duke.edu)
Treasurer - Judith Nuss-Steele (Omega) (j.nuss.steele@shaw.ca)
Recording and Corresponding Secretary - Kendra Hyland (Xi) (hyla0021@umn.edu)
Membership Secretary - Sharon Altmann (Beta) (sealtmann@wisc.edu)
Past President - Paddy Wiesenfeld (Omicron) (paddy.wiesenfeld@fda.hhs.gov)
Appointed by National Council
Archivist - Helen Haller (Omega) (wordbird@rochester.rr.com)
Editor - Melanie McEwen (Omega) (mlmcew2@email.uky.edu)
Historian - Pat Shaffer (Tau) (shaffer@sandiego.edu)
Assistant Historian - Gloria Gridley (Omicron) (gridleyg@mail.nih.gov)
Board of Directors
Kathy Grako (Tau), Chair (kagrako@san.rr.com)
Carol Hodes (Nu) (clh4@psualum.com)
Regina Vidaver (Beta) (rvidaver@uwalumni.com)
Helen Haller (Omega) (wordbird@rochester.rr.com)
Robin Woo (Omicron) (robinywoo@aol.com)
Executive Director - Dee McManus (Xi) (gwised@mac.com)
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Standing Committees
Fellowships Committee
(Note: Applications will come in to the Chair of the Fellowships Committee and then will be forwarded to the appropriate committee for review.)
Designated Oversight - Jennifer Ingram, Vice President (jennifer.ingram@duke.edu)
Coordinator (2008 - 09) - Julie Gros-Louis (jgroslou@indiana.edu)
Robin Woo (rwoo@cfsan.fda.gov)
Karen Reece
Susan Keirstead (sakeir@umn.edu)
Melissa Wilson (maw397@psu.edu)
Barbara Jur (jurb@macomb.edu)
Anne Carpenter
Sara E. Aiyar (sa3p@virginia.edu)
Rebeka Merson (rmerson@ric.edu)
Viorela Pop (vpop@uci.edu)
Financial Oversight Committee
3 former National SDE/GWIS Treasurers
Helen Haller (Omega) (wordbird@rochester.rr.com)
Gloria Gridley (Omicron) (gridleyg@mail.nih.gov)
Barbara Jur (Omega) (jurb@macomb.edu)
Judith Nuss-Steele (Omega), Advisor (j.nuss.steele@shaw.ca)
Finance Committee
Virginia Carson (Chair 2008 - 09 and Member at Large)
Designated Oversight - Helen Haller (Board member) (wordbird@rochester.rr.com)
Vice-President - Jennifer Ingram (jennifer.ingram@duke.edu)
President-Elect - JoAnn Schrass (jschrass@umw.edu)
Treasurer - Judith Nuss-Steele (advisor) (j.nuss.steele@shaw.ca)
Membership Committee
Designated Oversight - Carol Hodes, Board Member (clh4@psualum.com)
Rose Marie Larios, Chair 2008-09; 2006-09 (lariosr@vetmed.wsu.edu)
Laurie Cook; 2007-10 (lcook@brockport.edu)
Gloria Gridley (Omicron), 2008-2011 (gridleyg@mail.nih.gov)
(Robin Woo and Kathy Grako will redefine the role of the membership committee in 2008-09. Contact dropped members, strategies for member retention and recruitment, have one member focus on diversity, etc. All Chapter Presidents are asked to assist the Membership Committee).
Chapter Establishment Committee
Designated Oversight - Kathy Grako (Tau), Board member (kagrako@san.rr.com)
Sharotka Simon (Alpha Omega) (xumsimon@gmail.com)
Nominating Committee
Designated Oversight - JoAnn Schrass, President-Elect (2008-09) (jschrass@umw.edu)
Laurel Martin (Nu), Chair 2008-10 (laurel.martin999@hotmail.com)
Michelle Carter (Xi) elected 2008-11 (carte008@umn.edu)
Parliamentary Committee
Judith Nuss-Steele (Omega), Chair (j.nuss.steele@shaw.ca)
Virginia Carson (Sigma) (carson@chapman.edu)
Honorary Membership Awards Committee
Carol Goter-Robinson (Omicron) Chair in 2008-09 (goterrobinsonc@niddk.nih.gov)
Carole Ziegler (Tau) Chair 2009-10 (cziegler@sandiego.edu)
Helen Haller, (Omega) 2008-11 (wordbird@rochester.rr.com)
Omega Committee
Megan Richardson - Chair 2008-09 (merichar@nmsu.edu)
Cathie Overstreet (Omicron) 2008-2010 (coverstr@uci.edu)
Peggy (Margaret) Hill, 2008-2011 (phill@semo.edu)
Editorial Board
Designated Oversight - Dee McManus (Ex. Director):
Composed of President (Diane Wotta), President-elect (JoAnn Schrass), Vice-President (Jennifer Ingram), Editor (Melanie McEwen), Recording and Corresponding Secretary (Kendra Hyland) and BOD Member (Helen Haller).
Public Relations
Designated Oversight - Dee McManus, Ex. Director (gwised@mac.com)
Anne Pumfery (Kappa) (pumferya@yahoo.com)
Gerry (Geraldine) Anderson (Xi) (gerrylou@comcast.net)
Resolutions
5 Directors: Kathy Grako (Chair 2008-09), Carol Hodes, Helen Haller, Robin Woo and Regina Vidaver.
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Ad Hoc Committees
AAAS Representatives
(AAAS terms run for 3 years, from Feb to Feb.
Biology - Virginia Carson (carson@chapman.edu)
Medical Sciences - Diane Wotta (dwotta@comcast.net)
Agriculture, Food & Renewable Resources - Robin Woo (robinywoo@aol.com)
Education - Dee McManus (gwised@mac.com)
Chemistry - Pat Shaffer (shaffer@sandiego.edu ) or was this Paddy Wiesenfeld?
Note: if you cannot attend the AAAS, please identify an alternate
Ruth Dickie Special Projects Committee
Diane Wotta (President SDE/GWIS 2008-09); conferring with the Chair of Board of Directors (Kathy Grako) and Treasurer (Judith Nuss-Steele)
National Meeting Committee
Possibly Psi or Alpha Lambda - Chair for 2009 National Meeting
- Co-chair for 2009 National Meeting
Dee McManus, Ex. Director
Diane Wotta, President, 2008-09
Development
Robin Woo (Omicron) (robinywoo@aol.com)
Harriet Natsuyama (Alpha Lambda) (hhnatsu@yahoo.com)
International Relations
Gerry (Geraldine) Anderson (Xi) (gerrylou@comcast.net)
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Activities
National Activities • National Meeting • Chapter Activities • Volunteer
National Activities
- Provide a forum to discuss members' interests including research, employment opportunities, science outreach, education, public policy, and more.
- Publish and distribute the GWIS Bulletin to members.
- Support women graduate and undergraduate students in the sciences.
- Co-sponsor scientific symposia and other projects with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and other professional organizations.
- Recognize women who have made exceptional contributions to research or science education.
- Award National fellowships in support of research and travel to scientific meeting.
- Publish and distribute monthly e-news with current information on grants, chapters, and GWIS members.
- Opportunity to participate in <MentorNet> as a mentor or mentee, free of charge due to GWIS’s partnership with MentorNet.
National Annual Meeting
This four-day conference attracts GWIS members from all chapters and features leadership training, keynote speakers, research poster sessions, career workshops, honorary awards presentations, and much more. This meeting travels to different areas of the country each year at the convenience of our host chapters, and provides excellent opportunities for networking and sustaining friendships among our international membership.
National Volunteer Opportunities:
GWIS is a volunteer organization that encourages its members to become actively involved to support the organizational goals. | Volunteer Positions include:
AAAS Representative, Chapter Establishment, Chapter Maintenance, Development, Editor, Fellowships Committee, Fellowship Reviewer, Honorary Member Award Committee, International Relations, Membership Committee, Newsletter and e-news Contributor, Nominations Committee, Parliamentary, and Public Relations.
Contact the Executive Director for more information about each position or see our <Policy and Procedures> page.
Chapter Activities
As a member of GWIS you will automatically be invited to visit and join your nearest local chapter. Chapters develop unique projects for attaining the organization's goals. Activities may include: participation in mentoring programs, support of local science fairs, sponsorship of college students receptions, or speakers bureau participation. Some chapters meet regularly to hear members, as well as outside speakers, address topics of interest. Chapter dues are in addition to the National dues. See the chapters section for chapter contacts.
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Mission
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Mission: To advance the participation and recognition of women in science and to foster research through grants, awards, and fellowships.
Graduate Women in Science is an inter-disciplinary society of scientists who encourage and support women to enter and achieve success in science through full participation in their scientific research and its applications; in the development and advancement of women; in the integration careers, personal goals, and society's needs; and by professional networking and mutual inspiration |
GWIS vs. AWIS
• What is GWIS?• Where is GWIS?• How long has GWIS existed?• Who is GWIS?• Do I have to be a woman & a scientist to be a member of GWIS?• What are the benefits of membership?• What exactly does GWIS do?• How is GWIS different from AWIS?• How can GWIS help my career?• When and where is the GWIS National meeting?
What is GWIS?
GWIS is the Graduate Women in Science organization. We are a non-profit association that works to advance the participation and recognition of women in science and to foster research through grants, awards, and fellowships.
Where is GWIS?
GWIS has 15 chapters in 11 states plus the District of Columbia and one chapter-at-large; subsequently, there may be a chapter near you. The GWIS National Office is located in St. Paul, MN.
How long has GWIS existed?
GWIS was established in 1921 - just one year after women achieved suffrage - by a group of women graduate students at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, which ultimately became the Alpha chapter. The Beta chapter of GWIS in Madison, WI followed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1922. The newest chapters are Psi in Pullman, WA, and Mu Sigma Upsilon at Michigan State University, both formed in 2005 and the reactivation of Alpha Lambda in Hawaii and Pacific Rim in 2008.
Who is GWIS?
GWIS is an interdisciplinary society of over 1500 scientists who encourage and support women: 1) to enter and achieve success in science through full participation in their scientific research and its applications 2) in the development and advancement of women 3) in the integration of their careers, personal goals, and society's needs, and 4) by professional networking and mutual inspiration.
Do I have to be a woman and a scientist in order to be a member of GWIS?
No, you do not need to be a woman, but must hold at least a bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline to become a member of GWIS. K-12 science educators can become affiliate members, but cannot apply for fellowships or vote. Members include graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and professionals in industry, government and higher education. Disciplines are numerous, including the natural and physical sciences, mathematics, and computer science.
What are the benefits of membership?
*To meet other women scientists with diverse backgrounds and interests at local chapter events and at the National meeting.
* To obtain financial assistance in the form of highly competitive GWIS fellowships and grants, which are awarded annually for research, and for travel to scientific meetings.
* To develop leadership and team building skills, essential in today's workplace.
* To gain insight into balancing personal and professional life.
* To receive quarterly, The Bulletin, the National GWIS newsletter, which highlights activities of chapters and members, and job, internship and fellowship opportunities.
* To receive the GWIS News, our monthly e-newsletter, containing the latest news about activities of chapters and members and grant deadlines.
* To receive a Membership Directory of over 1500 members in diverse scientific disciplines.
What exactly does GWIS do?
As part of our efforts to promote the entrance and advancement of women in science, GWIS has a long-standing commitment to fostering the careers of women science professionals. Events at the 15 local chapters across the country provide a forum to discuss members' interests including research, employment opportunities, science outreach, education, public policy, and more. GWIS chapters also provide women scientist judges for science fairs, thus providing role models for young students. At the national level, GWIS publishes the Bulletin, a quarterly newsletter and the monthly GWIS News, our monthly e-newsletter. These publications highlighting activities of chapters and members, and provide job, internship and fellowship opportunities. The National organization co-sponsors scientific symposia and other projects with AAAS and other professional organizations; recognizes women who have made exceptional contributions to research or science education by honorary membership; and awards fellowships in support of research and for travel to scientific meetings.
How is GWIS different from AWIS?
Since women were commonly banned from mainstream scientific societies, GWIS was formed in 1921 primarily as a fraternal organization to afford women in science the opportunity to interact informally to advance their studies by exchanging ideas about research and methodology, and to advance their own careers. The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) was formed in 1971 with the advent of Title IX to ensure equity and full participation of women in science. Both groups work actively to promote the careers of women in science through networking and scholarships, and both have an international outreach component through their affiliations with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Membership in GWIS is restricted to individuals holding at least a bachelor's degree in some scientific field, while AWIS membership is open to anyone supporting women in science. The concerns of the two organizations' memberships, therefore, reflect their different makeup.
How can GWIS help my career?
We have online fellowship information, contact information for local chapters to facilitate networking, and are affiliated with AAAS, the largest American science society.
When and where is the GWIS National meeting?
The GWIS National meeting is held annually in June and hosted by a local chapter. The 87th Annual National Meeting was hosted by Omicron Chapter in Rockville, MD in June 26-29, 2008
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History
Very Brief History of GWIS
We have a rich history with over 87 years as a professional organization of women in science. Women obtained the right to vote in 1920, and Sigma Delta Epsilon-Graduate Women in Science (now called GWIS) was incorporated in 1922! So you can imagine the stories of our members. We have attempted to capture our colorful history in three historical publications authored by GWIS members, and the last publication which Is a culmination of the 87 years will be available by the end of this year (2008) or early next year. Contact the Executive Director for more information.
Initially, women graduate students convened their first meeting in 1921 (at the AAAS meeting and by early 1922 we were incorporated into a professional organization. Today we still maintain our affiliation with AAAS and because our membership is international, we convene our interim GWIS National meeting during the Annual AAAS Conference in February each year.
The first GWIS chapter, Alpha, was started in Cornell, NY, while the second chapter (Beta) was in Madison, WI. These chapters still existence today, along with 13 other chapters in the US and international. Members include graduate students, post docs, as well as the professionals in industry, or higher education. Disciplines are numerous, ranging from basic scientists to representative from corporations in all areas of science. Minimum membership requirement is to have at least a BS in a scientific discipline with lab experience, but most of our members have graduate and professional degrees.
The National membership exceeds 1500 and continues to grow as new, younger members continue to ‘pick up the banner’ to make GWIS a timely and relevant organization for the women scientist of today. Membership is at the National level with a local chapter affiliation. Check out the Chapter listings to see if there is a chapter near you. If not, maybe you would like start one, using our start a chapter tools.
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Please don’t hesitate to contact any of the National officers, if you still have questions, once you’ve perused our website. While our seal may be over 80 years old, it is still very relevant today-remember we are forever “United in Friendship through Science.”
Dr. Viola Graham was a graduate student in 1921 when she designed the beautiful insignia that we use today. It’s encompasses several disciplines of the society’s membership while stating our society’s slogan with the Greek letters-Sigma, Delta, Epsilon, which translates to “United in Friendship through Science”
The Key includes a Benzene Ring for Chemistry, a Nile Key for Biology, a Nabla Delta for Mathematics, and a Thunderbolt for Physics. |
Graduate Women in Science's Colors:
Historical List of National Officers (1922-present)
Historical List of Fellowships Recipient (1941-present)
Historical List of Meritorious Service Recipients (1971-present)
Historical List of National Meeting Sites (1986-present)
Past Donors biography
Adele Lewis Grant
Anna Louise Hoffman
Kate Staley
Mabel Meyers
Margaret Hayes
Margery Carlson
Nell I. Mondy
Sarah E. Stewart
Vessa Notchev
Historical beginning of Fellowships
View the historical beginnings of Fellowships.
Publications
GWIS News
The Bulletin
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