IBM Corporation and two leading educators were recognized this week for their outstanding contributions to the advancement of women in engineering during the annual WEPAN National Conference in Washington, D.C.
IBM Corporation received the organization's Breakthrough Award for its innovative and groundbreaking policies and initiatives to advance the careers of women engineers. Dr. Elaine Seymour of the University of Colorado at Boulder received the Betty Vetter Research Award recognizing her ground-breaking research into why students leave engineering-related curricula; and Dr. Barbara Lazarus of Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa., received the WEPAN Founder's Award for her contributions to the growth and development of programming for women engineering undergraduate and graduate women and to the development of WEPAN.
"IBM is a leader in developing strong and innovative programs to develop women in the technical workplace, for today and tomorrow, while Elaine Seymour and Barbara Lazarus exemplify the strong leadership provided by Universities to provide the underpinnings for the success of our current students," said Susan Metz, WEPAN President and Executive Director, Lore-El Center for Women in Engineering and Science Stevens Institute of Technology.
WEPAN, or the Women in Engineering Programs & Advocates Network, is a non-profit professional and advocacy group established in 1990 to be a catalyst for change to enhance the success of women in the engineering profession. The organization provides a clearinghouse for research and programming for women in engineering, providing technical assistance, information, and training on recruitment, retention, and mentoring.
IBM -- The 2000 WEPAN Breakthrough Award
As the recipient of the 2000 WEPAN Breakthrough Award, IBM is recognized for initiatives for its professional workforce and for the development of model "pipeline" programs designed to encourage girls to consider technical careers.
In 1997, IBM established a Women in Technology Steering Committee that has provided a focal point for on-going initiatives to attract and develop women in the technical workforce. This action followed years of leadership in the commitment to the advancement of women in the technical workplace. The company founder, Thomas J. Watson Sr., initiated a policy of equal pay for women three decades in advance of the U.S. Equal Pay Act. The company has also led in the development of maternity leave, flex time, and progressive family policies. Working Mother magazine has recognized IBM as a Top 10 Company for working women for 12 consecutive years. "IBM has a long-standing commitment to women and its forward-thinking approach in creating policies and practices promote the career success of women," said Dr. Jane Daniels, director of the Women in Engineering Program at Purdue. "Truly, IBM has broken through the artificial barriers that might prevent women from attaining full potential."
IBM's recent development of technology camps for middle school girls located at IBM sites and the company's sponsorship of six technology camps for middle school girls at universities in the summer of 2000 are examples of the leadership that won IBM the Breakthrough recognition, says Barbara Bogue, WEPAN Awards chair and Director of the Women in Engineering Program at Penn State. The company is also an active supporter of national initiatives focused on women in technology including the National Academy of Engineering Summit on Women and the Women's Technology Institute.
"At IBM, we understand the importance of attracting and retaining technical women, " said Linda Scherr, program director, Women In Technology, IBM. "Through our technology summer camps and e-mentoring initiatives, IBM is committed to encouraging girls and young women to pursue careers in science and technology. "
The WEPAN Breakthrough Award citation recognizes IBM for "outstanding leadership in the creation of a supportive environment for engineering women at all levels, for developing exemplary outreach programs aimed at encouraging young women to pursue engineering careers, and for being active in global initiatives that foster the continued growth and success of all women in technology." The award is a commissioned sculpture created from a fusion of pieces of broken glass by Vivian Shimoyama, Breakthru Unlimited.
Dr. Elaine Seymour -- The Betty Vetter Award for Research
Dr. Elaine Seymour, Director, Ethnography and Evaluation Research, Bureau of Sociological Research, University of Colorado at Boulder, is recipient of the Betty Vetter Award for Research, which recognizes notable achievement in research related to women in engineering.
As the author of "Talking About Leaving," published in 1997, Dr. Seymour set the standard for qualitative research into why students leave engineering, science, and math. Her continued investigation into this and related issues, along with her work as evaluator for a variety of research and action projects related to women in engineering and related disciplines, has contributed significantly to the breadth of research related to women in engineering.
"Dr. Seymour's extensive work and her willingness to share her expertise with others make her stand tall as a true leader in this field. It is an honor and a privilege to make this presentation," said Brenda Hart, Director of the Minority and Women in Engineering Programs at the University of Louisville.
Dr. Seymour most recently served as a Visiting Senior Scientist at the National Institute for Science Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Other institutions with whom Dr. Seymour has actively collaborated on research projects include the University of California at Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon University, and Brown University. She is co-principle investigator for the "NSF Engineering Education Scholars Program."
Dr. Barbara Lazarus -- The 2000 Founders Award
Dr. Barbara Lazarus, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, Carnegie Mellon University, received the 2000 Founders Award in recognition of her extraordinary service to WEPAN and to the advancement of women.
"Barbara Lazarus continues to influence WEPAN and its individual members through outstanding service, mentoring and scholarship," said Bogue. "She contributes to Œthe big picture' at the same time she shares her experience and advice with individuals."
Dr. Lazarus is a founding member of WEPAN, has served on the Board of Directors since 1995, and serves on the WEPAN Board Planning Committee. She spearheaded WEPAN's international initiatives, founding and providing early leadership for the International Action Group She is a founding director of MentorNet, a national program that pairs undergraduate women in engineering and related sciences with mentors in industry via the Internet.
Dr. Lazarus is well known for her contributions to research and literature on women in engineering and gender equity. She is co-author of "Journeys of Women in Science and Engineering: No Universal Constants," of the "Equity Equation," and has authored numerous papers. She co-chaired the 1998 conference on "Tackling the Engineering Resources Shortages."
The WEPAN Awards luncheon and program were sponsored by Microsoft. IBM sponsored the WEPAN Founder's Award and Corning Inc. sponsored the Breakthrough Award.