SWE - Spring 2008 - (Page 7) VIEW FROM THE EXECUTIVE SUITE Writing History EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO: Betty Shanahan, CAE SWE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President/Michelle Tortolani XM Satellite Radio Inc. Medtronic Retired O President Elect/Virginia Connolly, P.E. Secretary/Fran Stuart Treasurer/Linette Patterson Dell, Inc. ur celebration of women’s history month is an opportunity to consider SWE’s “Achieve” goal: recognizing women for their life-changing contributions as engineers and leaders. We find inspiration in their stories, many of which pre-date SWE. In my own field of computing, I delight in knowing that Ada Byron Lovelace conceived the first “computer program,” in the 1840s as she worked with Babbage’s analytical engine. In more recent times, by reviewing the ranks of SWE’s early members we can identify many who dramatically advanced engineering and technology. Thanks to the efforts of individual SWE members, five from our ranks have been inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, including SWE pioneers Lillian Moller Gilbreth, Ph.D., Beatrice Hicks, and Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper. Contemporary SWE members Sheila Widnall, Ph.D., and Eleanor Baum, Ph.D., have also been inducted into the hall. Directors/ Bernice Brody, Professional Development, IBM Semahat Demir, Ph.D., External Affairs Siddika Demir, Education, Bechtel Helen Patricia, Membership Initiatives, Kennametal Inc. Director of Diversity and Inclusion/Natalie Thompson Goldman Sachs & Co. Director of Regions/Nora Lin, Northrop Grumman Electronics Systems Speaker of the Council/ Melissa Tata Dell, Inc Women continue making history through their work and research. The outstanding candidates nominated to SWE’s annual awards program are a further testament to the ongoing contributions of contemporary women engineers and scientists. SWE’s awards and recognition program is a significant vehicle for recognizing women across different career paths and career points. Nominating women for prestigious awards in the broader engineering community is also important. Publicly acknowledging women’s contributions improves the status of all women. But few women receive awards through the National Academy of Engineering, the American Association of Engineering Societies, or the discipline-focused engineering societies. similar situation occurs in science and medicine. To receive an award, an appropriate individual must be nominated with a package of material that effectively presents her accomplishments. Seeing a need to share information on major awards and processes, Stephanie Pincus, M.D., M.B.A., and Florence Haseltine, Ph.D., M.D., at the Society for Women’s Health Research created Recognition of the Achievements of Women In Science, Medicine, and Engineering, or the RAISE Project. SWE has been invited to leverage the RAISE Project’s resources, (www.raiseproject.org). Current RAISE Project programs include: a national awards clearinghouse with a Web-based list of national awards; a Web-based list of outstanding women candidates; and support for preparing nominations for selected national awards. Many SWE sections aggressively nominate women for highly visible local awards. Recipients receive the recognition they deserve for their accomplishments, and also serve as role models for aspiring and practicing engineers. We should not underestimate the importance of these awards in the portfolios of women whose careers and contributions will ultimately lead to national and global recognition. Awards are how we acknowledge the women who are making history. It is up to us to nominate them and in the process help to write history. Collegiate Representative/ Angela Nickels FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact: The Society of Women Engineers 230 E. Ohio St. Suite 400 Chicago, IL 60611 312-596-5223 Fax 312-596-5252 A http://www.swe.org E-mail: hq@swe.org Visit our Web site at: SWE (ISSN 1070-6232), Magazine of the Society of Women Engineers, is published quarterly with an extra issue in October by the Society of Women Engineers, 230 E. Ohio St., Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60611. Annual subscription rates: SWE members,$10.00 included in dues; SWE student members, $7.50 included in dues; non-members, $30.00. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: SWE, c/o Society of Women Engineers at the above address. Copyright 2008 Society of Women Engineers Betty Shanahan, CAE SWE Executive Director & CEO SWE SPRING 2008 7 http://www.swe.org http://www.swe.org http://www.raiseproject.org
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