Graduate Women in Science (GWIS), also known as Sigma Delta Epsilon, is an organization for female graduate students in science, first established in 1921.
Membership is open to anyone, regardless of sex, who has at least a bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline. The organization is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that works to assist women in science. It does so through offering grants, awards, and fellowships; holding annual conferences and sponsoring additional meetings and symposia; publishing the quarterly GWIS Bulletin; and promoting the participation and representation of women in science fairs.
GWIS was established in 1921 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. In keeping with the Greek system of naming chapters, the Cornell chapter became the "Alpha chapter" when the second ("Beta") chapter was added in 1922. The organization currently has 20 chapters throughout the United States and is headquartered in Avon, Massachusetts.
The GWIS National Meeting is held annually in June and is hosted by a local chapter.
Famous quotes containing the words graduate, women and/or science:
“In the United States, it is now possible for a person eighteen years of age, female as well as male, to graduate from high school, college, or university without ever having cared for, or even held, a baby; without ever having comforted or assisted another human being who really needed help. . . . No society can long sustain itself unless its members have learned the sensitivities, motivations, and skills involved in assisting and caring for other human beings.”
—Urie Bronfenbrenner (b. 1917)
“Men never think, at least seldom think, what a hard task it is for us women to go through this very often. God’s will be done, and if He decrees that we are to have a great number of children why we must try to bring them up as useful and exemplary members of society.”
—Victoria (1819–1901)
“Science is feasible when the variables are few and can be enumerated; when their combinations are distinct and clear. We are tending toward the condition of science and aspiring to do it. The artist works out his own formulas; the interest of science lies in the art of making science.”
—Paul Valéry (1871–1945)