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The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) is a non-profit professional organization that was founded in 1971 at the annual Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) meeting. The organization aims to advocate for the full participation and equity of women in all fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). AWIS works to combat systemic gender discrimination, such as unequal pay and professional isolation, and promotes a more inclusive STEM culture. [1]
The association's membership has grown to include approximately 7,100 STEM professionals across various disciplines, with a national network of 27 chapters in the United States. Through advocacy, career development programs, and mentorship opportunities, AWIS supports women at all career stages in STEM and advances policies that foster inclusivity in scientific environments. [2]
In 1971, at the annual Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) conference, a group of 27 women scientists—co-led by endocrinologist Neena B. Schwartz and biochemist Judith G. Pool —organized an informal meeting (over a champagne brunch) to discuss discrimination in their field, leading to the founding of the Association for Women in Science. [3]
AWIS soon established an executive office in Washington, D.C., and began chartering local chapters nationwide to support a growing network of women in STEM. [4] Its founding co-presidents, Schwartz and Pool, set early advocacy priorities to combat unequal pay, hiring biases, and professional isolation.
In the mid-1970s AWIS joined other women’s organizations in initiating a class-action lawsuit against the National Institutes of Health (NIH), objecting to the lack of women on NIH grant review committees. The legal action was dropped after AWIS representatives (including Schwartz) met with NIH Director Robert Marston, who agreed to appoint more women from a list of qualified candidates – a step that soon led to significantly higher female representation on NIH peer-review panelsawissd.org. AWIS also pressed for enforcement of Title IX equal-opportunity provisions beyond athletics, urging their application to academic science departments and research funding. [5]
Members of AWIS provided Congressional testimony and served on federal advisory committees to push for gender equity in science during this era. [4] [6] As the organization grew, it founded the AWIS Educational Foundation in 1974 (now the AWIS Educational Awards program) to receive donations and fund scholarships and fellowships for women pursuing scientific careers. [7] These early efforts laid the groundwork for AWIS’s dual mission of supporting women scientists and advocating for systemic change in STEM institutions.
By the 1980s, AWIS had expanded its national presence with dozens of chapters and thousands of members across the United States. [3] The organization became a leading voice on policies to advance women in science, working in coalition with other professional groups to promote family-friendly workplaces, fair promotion practices, and greater inclusion of women in research initiatives. AWIS leaders helped shape public policy – for example, by championing stronger Title IX compliance in academia and advising on legislation to improve childcare and anti-discrimination protections in research environments. [6] The organization also represented U.S. women scientists internationally, sending delegates to global meetings to share strategies for increasing women’s participation in STEM. [4] During this period AWIS gained broader recognition for its mentoring and professional development programs. In 1997, the Association received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) from the White House, honoring AWIS’s nationwide mentoring project that had supported more than 6,000 female students and early-career scientists since 1990. [8] This national award highlighted AWIS’s impact and solidified its reputation as a driving force for women’s advancement in STEM.
In the 21st century, AWIS continued to champion women across all STEM disciplines through research-driven advocacy and new partnerships. The organization focused on persistent barriers contributing to the “leaky pipeline” of women leaving scientific careers – examining issues such as implicit bias in hiring, inequities in grant funding, and the underrepresentation of women among prestigious science award winners. AWIS published reports and policy briefs to raise awareness of these challenges and recommended institutional reforms, while also expanding its own programs for career development and recognition of women’s achievements. [6] During these decades, AWIS actively collaborated with the National Science Foundation and other agencies on initiatives to advance systemic change (for example, through NSF’s ADVANCE program funding). The Association’s membership grew to include professionals in industry, academia, and government, and new chapters were established in numerous states, giving AWIS a presence in over 40 regions. By 2010, AWIS counted several thousand members and over 50 chapters nationwide. [3] Its activities ranged from mentoring circles and leadership training to the publication of AWIS Magazine and an online newsletter (AWIS in Action!) that kept members informed on policy issues. These efforts ensured that AWIS remained at the forefront of advocacy for equity and inclusion, while providing a strong support network for women pursuing STEM careers at every level.
In 2019, AWIS launched the ADVANCE Resource and Coordination (ARC) Network, described as a STEM equity “brain trust” designed to connect scholars and practitioners working to advance diversity in science. [9] Funded by the National Science Foundation ’s ADVANCE program, the ARC Network created a community platform for sharing research findings and effective practices to promote gender equity, with support from partners such as Elsevier’s Mendeley and SSRN services. [10] Two years later, in 2021, AWIS celebrated its 50th anniversary. The organization marked this milestone by reflecting on five decades of progress – from its roots in 1971 to its contemporary role – highlighting how AWIS had empowered women through scholarships, mentoring programs, and advocacy initiatives across the years. [9] (That year AWIS also introduced reforms to broaden access, including a more equitable dues structure and an expanded career center for membersmultibriefs.com.) [11]
Building on its legacy, AWIS in the early 2020s rolled out new programs to address emerging needs. An Advocacy Scholars Program was established to sponsor selected AWIS members to receive policy training (e.g. attending the AAAS science policy workshops in Washington, D.C.) and to later lead AWIS’s national advocacy effortsawis.memberclicks.net. AWIS also created dedicated scholarships for first-generation women college students pursuing STEM degrees, aiming to diversify the pipeline of future female scientists. [12] In addition, AWIS turned its attention to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women in science. The organization gathered data through member surveys and webinars, finding that many women scientists faced heightened caregiving responsibilities and declines in research productivity during the pandemic. [13] AWIS publicized these findings and advocated for supportive measures (such as flexible tenure clocks, remote work support, and funding extensions) to mitigate COVID-19’s disproportionate toll on women in STEM. [14] As it advances through its second half-century, AWIS continues to adapt its programs and advocacy to foster inclusion, resilience, and equal opportunity for women in science.
AWIS publishes a quarterly AWIS Magazine , an award-winning magazine that covers scientific research, workplace trends, career advancement, and the organization’s policy work in Washington, D.C. [15] In addition, AWIS distributes the AWIS News Brief, a biweekly email newsletter (formerly known as Washington Wire) that provides a digest of “hot topic” news, opportunities, and updates for women in STEM. [16] AWIS members also receive Fireside Friday [17] , a members-only weekly newsletter with organizational news and insights; this newsletter is emailed to members every Friday and archived on the AWIS member portal.
AWIS offers regular professional development and networking programs for its members. The association hosts national webinars , typically on a monthly basis, featuring career development and leadership topics (e.g. salary negotiation, institutional change, and leadership potential) These webinars are free for AWIS members (with recordings available on-demand) and open to non-members for a fee of $29. [18] AWIS also engages members in advocacy and public policy initiatives. Notably, it organizes an annual AWIS Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., during which AWIS members meet with lawmakers and participate in science policy workshops to champion issues affecting women in STEM. [19] AWIS’s nationwide network of 27 local chapters further provides grassroots member engagement through regional events, mentoring programs, outreach activities, and affinity groups.
AWIS administers several annual scholarship and award programs to recognize and support women in science. The AWIS Scholarship Program offers multiple scholarships each year for different career stages. For example, the AWIS Distinguished Doctoral Research Scholarship awards $10,000 to an outstanding AWIS member completing her dissertation researchawards.awis.org, and the AWIS Opportunity Scholarships for Career Re-entry provide two $2,500 awards to women returning to the STEM workforce after a career break. Additional undergraduate awards include the Dr. Vicki L. Schechtman Scholarship and several $2,000 First Generation College Student Scholarships for undergraduate women in science fields. [20]
AWIS also recognizes excellence through annual awards for leadership and achievement. Each year AWIS bestows a set of nine national awards, including three individual honors – the Spark Award (for a student or early-career STEM leader who advocates for diversity in science)awards.awis.org, the Meridian Award (for a mid-career STEM professional demonstrating leadership in workplace equity)awards.awis.org, and the Zenith Award (for a senior leader with a lifetime of achievements promoting diversity in STEM). In addition, AWIS presents “Shooting Star” Awards to outstanding AWIS chapters for their programmatic initiatives. For instance, in 2022 the AWIS Boston Chapter received a Shooting Star Award for Inclusive Leadership Development (recognizing its LGBTQ+ affinity group), and the AWIS Baltimore Chapter won for Entrepreneurship. [21] [22] These awards and scholarships highlight AWIS’s ongoing efforts to celebrate women’s contributions to STEM and to support the advancement of women in science through funding, recognition, and community-building programs. [23]
As of 2025, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Association for Women in Science is Meredith Gibson, CAE. Meredith has served AWIS in various capacities since 2007 and was officially appointed CEO in 2022. [24] In her role, she oversees all facets of the organization—including strategic planning, operations, financial management, advocacy, membership growth, and partnerships. Under her leadership, AWIS has doubled its membership, expanded its corporate partnerships, and launched a new strategic plan for 2023–2026.
AWIS is governed by a Board of Directors composed of scientists, educators, and leaders from across STEM disciplines. The Board sets the strategic direction of the organization and represents a broad cross-section of sectors including academia, industry, and government. Members are elected by the AWIS membership and serve staggered terms.
The AWIS National Staff executes day-to-day operations and manages key organizational functions, including communications, program delivery, chapter engagement, membership services, and digital marketing. The staff team includes professionals: Chief Marketing Officer Shelley O’Brien, Senior Membership and Components Manager Abby Swett, and Digital Marketing Specialist Sloan Rivers. [25]
AWIS maintains a nationwide network of 27 volunteer-led chapters that serve as local hubs for mentoring, professional development, advocacy, and networking. These chapters operate independently while contributing to AWIS’s national mission and community-building efforts. [26]
Several national committees within AWIS provide members the opportunity to shape the organization's programming, scholarships, advocacy strategy, and chapter development. These include the Awards Committee, Advocacy Committee, Chapter Advisory Committee, and more, offering members leadership roles and collaborative involvement in organizational initiatives. [27]
The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) actively collaborates with a range of coalitions, committees, and partner organizations to amplify its impact and advance equity in STEM.
AWIS belongs to several national coalitions and advocacy alliances that work collectively to influence science policy and promote equity. These affiliations allow AWIS to contribute to broader conversations affecting the scientific workforce, education, and public funding priorities.
Current coalition affiliations include:
For recent legislative actions, endorsements, and advocacy statements, visit: https://awis.org/recent-advocacy-actions
AWIS partners with organizations across academia, government, and industry to build inclusive workplaces and expand opportunities for women in science. These partnerships support shared goals around talent retention, leadership development, inclusive hiring, and outreach.
You can view the full list of current partners here:
Each of the above awards and honors was formally announced by the granting or awarding body, often accompanied by press releases or public statements. These accolades highlight AWIS’s prominent role in promoting equity for women in STEM – from White House recognition of its mentoring programs to foundation grants enabling AWIS initiatives, and appointments of its leaders to influential national bodies. [36]
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