Women in science: Organizations
This topic guide covers resources and organizations about women in science and engineering
Local, regional, and state activities and organizations
- American Association of University Women (AAUW) Palo AltoFounded in 1881, the American Association of University Women is open to all graduates who hold the associate, baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university or who are Registered Nurses. In principle and practice AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in the organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. AAUW Palo Alto was chartered in 1930 and, at approximately 300 members, is one of the largest branches in California. Our branch has consistently achieved 5-Star and Platinum branch status, and is recognized for our significant contributions to the advancement of education and equity for women and girls.
- American Association of University Women (AAUW) CaliforniaThe American Association of University Women (AAUW), founded in 1881, is the nation's leading organization advocating equity for women and girls. Its national membership of 80,000 seeks to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. People of every race, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, and level of physical ability are invited to join. AAUW California is the state's most active and diverse organization for women with nearly 13,000 members in 140 branches, plus over 5,000 members-at-large.
- California Diversity Council"We are committed to transforming our workplace into environments where people are valued for their uniqueness and are confident that their contributions matter. Organized in 2009, the California Diversity Council (CADC) is committed to fostering a learning environment for organizations to grow and leverage their knowledge of diversity. Through a variety of events and programs, the CADC serves as the premier resource for diversity best practices and leadership development in the state of California. It is currently comprised of 3 advisory boards: Los Angeles, Southern California, and Bay Area." (website description)
- League of Women Voters of Palo AltoThe League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. The League influences public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose candidates for office, or political parties, and any use of the League of Women Voters name in campaign advertising or literature has not been authorized by the League.
Organizations
- 500 Women Scientists"The vision of 500 women scientists is to be the foremost organization for the transformation of leadership, diversity, and public engagement in science." Their projects include: Request a Scientist, Women in Medicine, Fellowship for the Future, Wikithons, Sci-Mom Journey, and Inclusive Scientific Meetings.
- American Association of University Women (AAUW)The American Association of University Women (AAUW) empowers women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. Our nonpartisan, nonprofit organization has more than 150,000 members and supporters across the United States, as well as 1,000 local branches and 700 college and university partners. Since AAUW’s founding in 1881, our members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political.
- American Chemical Society Women Chemists Committee (WCC)The WCC serves the membership of the American Chemical Society. Our mission is to be leaders in attracting, developing, promoting, and advocating for women in the chemical sciences in order to positively impact society and the profession.
- American Chemical Society Women Chemists of ColorThe American Chemical Society Women Chemists of Color program builds community, provides resources, and advocates for minority women chemists.
- American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)"The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is a national, nonprofit organization focused on substantially increasing the representation of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, First Nations and other indigenous peoples of North America in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) studies and careers."
- Association for Women Geoscientists"The Association for Women Geoscientists is an international organization devoted to enhancing the quality and level of participation of women in geosciences and to introduce girls and young women to geoscience careers."
- Association for Women in Science (AWIS)In 1971, at the annual FASEB meeting, flyers were posted inviting women scientists to a champagne mixer and meeting to encourage the exchange of ideas and solutions to overcoming job discrimination, lower pay, and professional isolation. Those 27 women who took the initiative to make science a better place for women founded the Association for Women in Science (AWIS), today's premiere leadership organization advocating the interests of women in science and technology. For nearly 40 years, the Association for Women in Science has fought for equity and career advancement for women – from the bench to the board room.
- Black Women in Science and Engineering (BWISE)"The BWISE mission is to empower Black Women through career and entrepreneurial development, insight and training. While the BWISE vision is to significantly impact the diversity of the STEM pipeline, both corporate and academic, from beginning to end." (website description)
- Earth Science Women's Network"We are a grassroots, non-profit, member driven organization. Our mission is to build a resilient community that lifts all women and moves the geosciences forward."
- European Association for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET)WiTEC was formed as a network in 1988 and after more than ten years of networking and project activities related to women and SET, established itself as a non-profit European association in May 2001. WiTEC has the following aims at European level: * To increase the number of girls and women studying SET subjects and to help them progress to related careers * To develop women's technical and entrepreneurial skills through training initiatives and projects * To create information exchanges and networking opportunities for women in SET * To promote and support research into areas relating to women in SET * To support initiatives to promote the Gender Mainstreaming Policy * To promote regional, national and international awareness and interest in this field.
- European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE)"EIGE is an autonomous body of the European Union, established to contribute to and strengthen the promotion of gender equality, including gender mainstreaming in all EU policies and the resulting national policies, and the fight against discrimination based on sex, as well as to raise EU citizens’ awareness of gender equality." (website description) Resources on this website include a Gender Equality Index and a Gender Statistics database.
- International Women's Day (IWD)International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality.
IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific. - Iota Sigma Pi: National Honor Society for Women in ChemistryIOTA SIGMA PI is a national honor society for women in chemistry. Its major objectives are: to promote interest in chemistry among women students; to foster mutual advancement in academic, business, and social life; and to stimulate personal accomplishment in chemical fields.
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Committee on Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine (CWSEM)"CWSEM operates under the oversight of the presidents of the three Academies. CWSEM’s mandate is to coordinate, monitor, and advocate action to increase the participation and recognition of women in science, engineering, and medicine —including women of color. Established in 1990 as CWSE, the committee expanded its scope in 2007 to include medicine. Most members of the committee are members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, or the National Academy of Medicine. The committee collects and disseminates data and information on the education and employment of women scientists, engineers, and health care professionals, and ways to enhance the advancement of women in all fields of science, engineering and medicine." (website description)
- National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE)"NOBCChE is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to assisting black and other minority students and professionals in fully realizing their potential in academic, professional, and entrepreneurial pursuits in chemistry, chemical engineering, and allied fields."
- National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP)"NOGLSTP a professional society that educates and advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students and professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics."
- Royal Society of Chemistry: inclusion and diversity"The people that make up our global community come from diverse cultures and have varied backgrounds and experiences. We recognise the importance of valuing all members of our community; we believe that for the chemical sciences to prosper, they must attract, develop and retain a diverse range of talented people. As a professional and membership body, and a leading voice for the chemistry community, we have a responsibility to promote inclusivity and accessibility in order to improve diversity. Chemistry should be for everyone. We’re working to make that a reality." See these reports: Breaking the Barriers: women's retention and progression in the chemical sciences (PDF) and Diversity Landscape in the Chemical Sciences (PDF).
- Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)SACNAS is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM.
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE)For more than six decades, SWE has given women engineers a unique place and voice within the engineering industry. Our organization is centered around a passion for our members' success and continues to evolve with the challenges and opportunities reflected in today's exciting engineering and technology specialties. SWE's mission: Stimulate women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers and leaders, expand the image of the engineering profession as a positive force in improving the quality of life, and demonstrate the value of diversity.
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Call to Action to Close the Gender Gap in ScienceUNESCO launched its Call to Action "Closing the Gender Gap in Science" in February 2024, on the occasion of the 2024 International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
- United Nations (UN) Women"UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide."
- Last Updated: Mar 4, 2025 1:54 PM
- URL: https://guides.library.stanford.edu/womeninscience
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