Making an Impact
AWIS advocacy initiatives, career support, and community help members reach their full potential
Helping more scientists #DiscoverWhatsNext
In 2024, our community grew by over 1,000 members to reach 7,700. We appreciate the engagement of our members, chapter leaders, board members, volunteers, partners, and donors whose support makes all the difference. THANK YOU!
Below are key highlights of the impact that AWIS had on our members and the scientific community this year:
- Over 350,000 job views on the AWIS Career Center
- Over $90,000 in scholarships awarded
- 2,650 webinar registrations (plus members can access over 50 titles in our webinar library)
- 650 stories were shared in AWIS News Brief
- 392 connections were made between recruiters and jobseekers at Virtual Career Fairs
- 371 members volunteered in local chapters
- 309 mentees connected with 130 mentors
- 76 blogs and articles were submitted by AWIS members
- 54 member spotlights were published
- 9 members received awards for their work to build inclusive spaces
In addition, AWIS launched the following new programs in support of our Strategic Plan Priorities:
New Advocacy Scholars Program
The Advocacy Scholars Program was created to support graduate students who are passionate about advocacy. AWIS reviewed the applications and selected PhD candidates, Lindsay Tessmer, RN, BSN, and Bailey McLagan as the 2024 advocacy scholars. We then sponsored their trip to attend the AAAS Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering workshop April 14-17, 2024. While in DC, they visited legislative offices on Capitol Hill and are now co-chairing the AWIS advocacy taskforce.
STEMM Opportunity Alliance Partner
AWIS is proud to be one of the 200+ cross-sector partners committed to diversifying and expanding STEMM workforce by 2050. On May 1, the STEMM Opportunity Alliance announced the STEMM Equity and Excellence 2050: A National Strategy for Progress and Prosperity at the 2024 White House Summit on STEMM Equity and Excellence, co-hosted by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
#BecauseTeachers
Many STEM professionals had a science teacher that ignited their passion or a professor that shaped their career journey. AWIS teamed up with the National Science Teacher Association to create the hashtag #BecauseTeachers and invited AWIS members to share stories about their favorite. By recognizing science teachers, we hope to help retain them in the profession and encourage more students to pursue science careers.
New AWIS Loyalty Circle
The AWIS Loyalty Circle was established in 2024 to honor individuals who maintained their AWIS membership for 40 years or more. The 19 members in the inaugural class received a commemorative pin and a complimentary lifetime membership. We are profoundly grateful for their deep commitment to advancing women in science.
Focus on Inclusion
While many organizations are scaling back their diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging programs, AWIS remains committed to DEIB. We conducted roundtables with DEI professionals to understand their challenges and partnered with Dr. Amanda Felkey to offer a 90-day experiential behavior change program called The Inclusion Habit© to AWIS partners and individuals. Arizona State University piloted the program and demonstrated increased communication, empathy, and the sense of belonging among a cohort of faculty, staff, and students.
In addition to these tangible programs, AWIS staff worked tirelessly behind the scenes to drive operational efficiency and ensure the optimal member experience. The marketing team refreshed our website software which required them to review and edit hundreds of pages of content. The membership team enhanced our online community and engineered new database fields that allow members to select their communication preferences.
While society has made strides toward gender equity, there are still improvements to be made. AWIS will continue to advocate for safe and welcoming workplaces with equitable hiring, pay and advancement as we strive to achieve our mission of full participation for women in the scientific workforce. If you are not already a member or supporter, consider joining below.