SWE - Fall 2007 - (Page 7) FY07 PRESIDENT’S FAREWELL where cultural expectations are such that the wearing of a wedding ring does not limit my employment opportunities. I also made many new acquaintances as the Society welcomed our first Upward Mobility Award recipient from outside the U.S., Yukako Uchinaga, of IBM Corporation, Japan. Over the course of the year, I attended six region conferences as well as section chartering and anniversary celebrations. At each event I observed, appreciated, and celebrated the local flavor and traditions. These traditions make SWE a grass-roots organization with a national impact. I spent time at the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers conferences. In doing so, I learned how we partner-organizations are different and yet so much alike. I met collegiates at universities all over the country who continue to inspire me with their positive attitudes and can-do spirit. Five hundred middle school girls and their mothers attended HESTEC, the Hispanic Engineering, Science, & Technology Week. Expressions of Gratitude There are many debts to acknowledge during this year of personal growth and discovery. I deepened my relationship with my sister as she became acquainted with my “SWE swisters” and became one of the Society’s newest members. She was able to create a bond with women with whom she shared common interests — a thread that unites many in our SWE membership. I truly appreciate my husband, who kept me grounded and gave me unwavering support as I achieved new milestones and took new steps. I thank the many colleagues, managers and supporters at my company, Hewlett-Packard, who saw the opportunity afforded by the SWE presidency and Garzolini’s husband, Michael, and sister provided behind the scenes support and urged me to make a difference. A hearty thanks to the encouragement. many in SWE who encouraged me, counseled, coached, and gave me the benefit of their different perspectives. I would also like to thank the FY07 board, the executive director and headquarters staff for their support and significant contributions during this time. The organization has come a very long way, as have women, in this profession. We look forward to going further still — to the time when it is commonplace for young girls to imagine themselves becoming engineers. Jude Garzolini SWE FY07 National President SWE FALL 2007 The first female Thunderbird pilot, Major Nicole Malachowski, right, with Garzolini and Peggy Koch at the Joint Regions B and J Conference in Las Vegas. 7
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