Numerous organizations around the globe work tirelessly to support, empower, and advocate for women in engineering. These organizations share several admirable goals:
- Promoting gender equality.
- Providing networking opportunities.
- Encouraging more women to pursue careers in engineering.
Let’s highlight some notable organizations focused on women in engineering:
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Focus/Mission: Founded in 1950, the Society of Women Engineers is one of the most well-established and prominent organizations dedicated to supporting women in engineering and technology, focusing on empowering them to achieve their full potential in engineering careers.
Services & Activities:
- Providing professional development resources, advocacy, scholarships, and networking opportunities.
- Promoting diversity and inclusion within the engineering community and encouraging the participation of women in STEM fields.
Women in Engineering ProActive Network (WEPAN)
Focus/Mission: WEPAN is working to increase the number and advance the prominence of diverse communities of women in engineering.
Services & Activities:
- Collaborating with various stakeholders, including universities, companies, and other organizations, to foster a diverse and inclusive engineering workforce.
- Offering resources, research, and networking opportunities to support women in engineering education and careers.
AnitaB.org
Focus/Mission: AnitaB.org is a global organization promoting women in all areas of technology, but its impact and initiatives also extend to women in engineering.
Services & Activities:
- Hosting the Grace Hopper Celebration, one of the largest gatherings of women in computing globally.
- Offering resources, programs, and advocacy to advance women’s careers in technology and engineering.
IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE)
Focus/Mission: IEEE Women in Engineering is a global network within the IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for humanity.
Services & Activities:
- Working to inspire, engage, encourage, and empower IEEE women worldwide.
- Conducting conferences, workshops, and symposiums.
- Offering various resources and networking opportunities to support women in engineering and technology.
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
Focus/Mission: While the National Society of Black Engineers serves a broader demographic, it has dedicated programs and initiatives to support women, particularly women of color, in engineering. The NSBE’s mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.
Services & Activities:
- Providing support, networking opportunities, and professional development for women engineers.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Focus/Mission: Like NSBE, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers serves a broader community but has specific initiatives and programs focused on supporting women in engineering, particularly Hispanic women. SHPE’s mission is to change lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world.
Services & Activities:
- Providing STEM awareness, access, support, and development.
Robogals
Focus/Mission: Robogals is an international student-run organization that inspires and empowers young women to study engineering and related fields.
Services & Activities:
- Running workshops and other initiatives in schools and communities to introduce young girls to engineering concepts and potential career paths in a fun and engaging manner.
- Working to increase diversity in engineering and technology fields.
Girls Who Code
Focus/Mission: While Girls Who Code primarily focuses on computing and technology, it also plays a significant role in encouraging young girls to explore a variety of engineering fields and close the gender gap in technology.
Services & Activities:
- Providing girls with the necessary skills and resources to pursue opportunities in computing and engineering.
Women in Manufacturing (WiM)
Focus/Mission: Women in Manufacturing is a national association dedicated to supporting, promoting, and inspiring women in the manufacturing sector. Through its initiatives, events, and programs, WiM champions the cause of women in the industry and underscores the critical need for diversity to drive innovation and growth in the manufacturing sector.
Services & Activities:
- Providing resources, professional development opportunities, and a supportive community.
- Fostering connections, offering mentorship, and highlighting the achievements of female professionals in manufacturing.
These organizations play a pivotal role in fostering diversity and promoting the inclusion of women in the engineering field. Through their dedicated efforts, they inspire more women to explore engineering careers, advocate for gender equality in the workplace, and support the professional development of women engineers worldwide.
Mentoring is part of our core culture at Thurman Co.
Thurman Co founder Angela Thurman currently serves as the Treasurer and Membership Director of the Texas Chapter of Women in Manufacturing (WiM) and was profiled in their Women of WiM (W.O.W.) Member Spotlight.
Mentoring women in tech careers is one of her many roles within WiM. As a woman in technology, Angela has encouraged mentoring for everyone here at Thurman Co. When each team member is mentored to do their best, everyone benefits: leadership, employees, and our clients.
We help businesses manage projects to significantly impact their success and growth. When you’re ready to put your project in the hands of a trusted professional organization, contact us to learn more about working together.