ABOUT SWE
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), founded in 1950, is a not-for-profit educational and service organization. SWE is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women. SWE empowers women to succeed and advance in those aspirations and be recognized for their life-changing contributions and achievements as engineers and leaders. MISSION (Adopted
in 1986)
Stimulate women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers and
leaders, expand the image of the engineering profession as a positive
force in improving the quality of life, and demonstrate the value of
diversity.
OBJECTIVES (Adopted in 1950)
- Inform young women, their parents, counselors and the general public of the qualifications and achievements of women engineers and the opportunitites open to them.
- Assist women in readying themselves for a return to active work after temporary retirement.
- Serve as a center of information on women in engineering.
- Encourage women engineers to attain high levels of education and professional acheivement.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
The Society's 3-5 Year Planning Horizon Strategies- SWE will provide opportunities for women to attain, enhance, and demonstrate leadership, professional, and technical excellence that results in career aspiration, advancement, achievement, and satisfaction.
- SWE will embrace and promote the value and power of diversity in specialties, age, race, ethnicity, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, and interests.
- SWE will share its acquired knowledge and promote programs that bridge the gaps in recruitment, professional development, and retention of women in engineering.
- SWE will inspire girls and women from diverse backgrounds and life stages to aspire to engineering for meaningful and rewarding careers.
VALUES
IntegrityWe aspire to the highest level of ethical behavior as evidenced by honesty and dignity in our personal and professional relationships and responsibilities.
Respect
We acknowledge gender, ethnic, cultural and
other differences, and strive to respect the added values they bring.
Mutual
Support
We provide an organization that fosters
mentoring, and the development of professional and personal networks.
Professional
Excellence
We conduct our activities in a professional
manner, demonstrating and demanding the highest standards of business
practices.
DIVERSITY PRINCIPLES
The Society of Women Engineers acknowledges and respects the value of a diverse community. SWE recognizes that the scope of diversity includes race/ethnicity, family status, age, physical abilities, sexual orientation, socio-economic status and occupational focus. SWE will maintain an environment that is supportive of these elements. We will promote inclusion within our organization and the engineering community.We commit to:
- Developing women in engineering across socio-economic strata and occupational focus.
- Encouraging the interest and active participation of women and girls of underrepresented ethnic groups, including African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans.
- Providing support to women which acknowledges and respects differences in family status, sexual orientation, age, and physical abilities.
We will ensure that all by-laws, policies, and charters support SWE's commitment to diversity.
We will align with and participate in those activities and organizations that encourage all dimensions of diversity.
Consideration of these and other elements of
diversity will guide the statements and activities of the Society.
Nothing in this statement is intended or shall be construed to
unlawfully deprive any person of his or her educational and employment
opportunities, compensation, and/or benefits.
