AWIS National
In 1971, a small group of women academics met in a discussion at the FASEB meeting in Chicago about how few women were in science. From these discussions, the organization Association for Women In Science (AWIS) was born. Judith Poole and Neena Schwartz were elected the first co-Presidents of National AWIS. The original goals of AWIS were focused on: sharing information through a newsletter, keeping track of professional women through a national registry, and forming a legislative “watchdog” committee to monitor bills for non-compliance with affirmative action. These are goals that National AWIS continues to advocate for until this day. There are approximately 50 chapters of AWIS throughout the United States. National AWIS supports the local chapters by offering web-based programs to members such as mentor-net and the STEMiNAR series.
AWIS Palo Alto
Founded In 1983, the Palo Alto chapter of AWIS was established by Rivka Sherman-Gold, who served as AWIS-PA’s first president. Rivka is still active in biotechnology in the Bay Area as an investor and entrepreneur. Currently AWIS Palo Alto is one of tens of AWIS chapters nationwide. In the San Francisco Bay Area there are even more networking opportunities with three northern California chapters (East Bay 1992, and Sacramento Valley 1994) in which to participate.