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AWIS-San Diego

AWIS Timeline

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The Association for Women in Science (AWIS)

The National Association for Women in Science (AWIS) is a nonprofit organization established in 1971, dedicated to achieving equity and full participation for women in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology.

1971

1986

AWIS-San Diego Chapter is established

AWIS San Diego was founded by Dr. Dorothy Hudig (now a Professor at the University of Nevada at Reno), Paula Konigsberg, Barbara Hemmingsen (San Diego State University) and Jeanette A. Thomas. The chapter was founded in the late 1970s or early 1980s and the group officially joined the national AWIS organization in 1986.

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Over time, San Diego science changed, as did AWIS-SD. Increasing numbers of women made it into the faculty of the various academic institutions, reducing their sense of exclusion. Most strikingly was the biotech boom, leading more and more members worked in industry, where they are now the largest demographic in the group. Women scientists also populated careers outside of bench science, so that AWIS members represent diverse roles in law, business, policy, and writing in additional to more traditional research and teaching activities. Membership skyrocketed in the 90s, especially among younger women.

1990

1993

Women in Bioscience Career Development Conference founded this year

Recognizing San Diego’s biology edge, AWIS-SD founded the wildly successful Women in Bioscience career development conferences in 1993. Successive conferences in alternate years have become a mainstay of the San Diego science calendar. AWIS-SD is now one of the largest chapters in the country.

Start of the Scholarship Program for AWIS-San Diego

The first Open House held by AWIS San Diego was in 2002. The purpose was to introduce our organization to the science community and to recruit new members by presenting our diverse events, activities and committees

2002