Association for Women Geoscientists
Encyclopedia
The Association for Women Geoscientists is a professional organization which promotes the professional development of its members, provides geoscience outreach to girls, and encourages women to become geoscientists. Membership is open to all who support AWG's goals. Members include professional women and men from industry
, government
, museum
s and academia
, students from a cross-section of colleges and universities, retirees, and others interested in supporting the society's goals.
in 1977. The original purpose of the society was to provide encouragement to women in the geosciences, a career choice where they were largely underrepresented at the time. Today, the purpose remains the same, though some advances have been made, as AWG membership approaches 1200 students and scientists, reflecting the increasing participation of women in the geosciences. AWG is a 501(c)(6) mutual benefit corporation with local chapters in many cities and at-Large members throughout the U.S. and around the world.
Industry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
, government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
, museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
s and academia
Academia
Academia is the community of students and scholars engaged in higher education and research.-Etymology:The word comes from the akademeia in ancient Greece. Outside the city walls of Athens, the gymnasium was made famous by Plato as a center of learning...
, students from a cross-section of colleges and universities, retirees, and others interested in supporting the society's goals.
History
AWG was founded in San FranciscoSan Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
in 1977. The original purpose of the society was to provide encouragement to women in the geosciences, a career choice where they were largely underrepresented at the time. Today, the purpose remains the same, though some advances have been made, as AWG membership approaches 1200 students and scientists, reflecting the increasing participation of women in the geosciences. AWG is a 501(c)(6) mutual benefit corporation with local chapters in many cities and at-Large members throughout the U.S. and around the world.
Activities
The society provides and sponsors several programs that strive to achieve the goals of the society:- The Association for Women Geoscientsts Distinguished Lecturer Program is a list of female geoscientists available to give talks or lectures on their areas of interest. List of speakers
- Scholarships
- AWG Outstanding Educator Award
- GAEA bi-monthly newsletter
- Geology field trips