Graduate Women in Science and Engineering Come Together at Harvard

By Abigail Adair

In 2004, a small lunchtime gathering of graduate women scientists planted
the seed for what has grown into a strong organization at the University:
Harvard Graduate Women in Science and Engineering (HGWISE). "We started
talking about issues we face as women in science, and, although we were
from different departments, we found that the issues were quite universal,"
says Meredith Fisher, a sixth-year PhD student in organismic and
evolutionary biology. "We decided we needed to do something."

The group, which welcomes male participation at its events, now has 300
members and supports many events and programs that provide educational,
professional, and social opportunities to graduate students. HGWISE also
serves as a central source of information on resources for women in science
and engineering via their Website and weekly e-mail announcements.

The HGWISE mission is "to enhance the graduate experience of women in science
and engineering at Harvard, to increase the representation of women in
science and engineering at all levels, and to improve the environment for
women currently pursuing careers in science and engineering."

 

HGWISE members take a break from their busy schedules for the camera. From left, co-chair Marissa Hummon, a PhD student in engineering and applied sciences; secretary Amanda Evans, a PhD student in organismic and evolutionary biology (OEB); and co-chair Meredith Fisher, also in OEB. (Photo credit: Susan Gilbert).

 

The new organization came into being primarily because women graduate
students, particularly in scientific and technical fields, felt they were
working as if sequestered. "Graduate school in general, for men and women, can be an isolating place," says Fisher. "As women, we tend to discuss this more. Many of us need both scientific and social interactions during this time. There is a real need for support and encouragement to pursue this track."

When Fisher and cofounders Mary Farrow, a student in biological sciences in
public health, and Martine Zilversmit and Sarah Boyer, both PhD students in
organismic and evolutionary biology at the time, approached GSAS
Administrative Dean Margot Gill with the idea, they received substantial
support. GSAS sponsored an HGWISE kickoff luncheon meeting in February 2005
that drew more than 60 students, not only from the Graduate School but from
the School of Public Health and the Medical School as well.

HGWISE offers a broad range of programs, including alumni career chats,
networking events, lectures by guest speakers, weekly coffee hours with
current women faculty, and professional skills training workshops. The
organization also works with the Harvard Task Force on Women in Science and
Engineering to advance policies related to issues such as maternity leave,
child care, and recruitment. Members of HGWISE also serve as mentors to
undergraduate students.

Although the group partners with other organizations, including the undergraduate association Women in Science at Harvard-Radcliffe, the programs run by HGWISE are largely supported by funds from GSAS. Alumni giving through the Graduate School Fund largely sustains student organizations such as HGWISE.

"It is incredible to see the amount of time and effort that volunteer members put in to run our programs, and we are grateful to GSAS for their financial support," says Fisher. "There remains so much more we want to do, and hopefully we will continue to grow and have the funds to expand our offerings and increase our impact."

As the organization develops, participants plan to use their collective
voice to advocate on behalf of issues important to its members. "We want to
be a force for good at Harvard - not working against anyone, but moving
toward positive change," says Fisher.

Abigail Adair is the assistant director for communications with the
University Development Office.

For more information about HGWISE, visit www.hcs.harvard.edu/hgwise. For
information about supporting the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences,
contact Marne Perreault,rdirector of GSAS Giving, at 617-495-1629 or
marne_perreault@harvard.edu.

<This article originally appeared in the Spring 2007 issue of Colloquy, the alumni quarterly of Harvard's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.>