2008-07-29 00:31:03 -
- David James Group Nikki Caiafa (630) 305-0003 ncaiafa@davidjamesgroup.com The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) honored Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) with its first-ever SWE President's Award at a reception held on Capitol Hill on July 23, 2008. At the same time, SWE also honored the House Diversity and Innovation Caucus for its work in promoting under-represented groups in the
science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields over the past year.
The President's Award was established to provide special recognition to those individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to women in engineering. SWE selected Congresswoman Johnson as its first-ever recipient for her efforts to implement the recommendations of the 2006 National Academies report, "Beyond Bias and Barriers: Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering," and promote gender equity in academic science and engineering.
"The Society of Women Engineers is pleased to honor Congresswoman Johnson for her outstanding contributions to promoting diversity and inclusion in the STEM fields as a legislator and as co-chair of the House Diversity and Innovation Caucus," said Michelle Tortolani, SWE President FY08. "She is an extraordinary leader who deserves recognition for her dedication," said Tortolani.
"The STEM fields are beginning to more accurately reflect our country, but women and people of color are still under-represented in STEM professions," said Congresswoman Johnson, "I remain committed to writing and championing legislation that will make the STEM fields inclusive to all."
Congresswoman Johnson is one of the six Co-Chairs of the House Diversity and Innovation Caucus, which was founded in 2007 on the belief that "the increased education and participation of groups currently under-represented in STEM is essential to supplying the American economy with the expertise the country needs to innovate and remain competitive."
Over the past year, the House Diversity and Innovation Caucus has been extremely active in advancing this goal. They have generated policies for increasing the participation of groups under-represented in the STEM fields; communicated the importance of promoting diversity in STEM for the achievement of America's innovation and competitiveness goals; and engaged their stakeholder community in an effort to assess policy areas of greatest need regarding diversity and innovation.
"All students should have access to quality science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, and the educational and economic opportunities that STEM fields present. Women and underrepresented minorities should be strongly encouraged to pursue STEM careers," said Congressman Vernon Ehlers (R-MI).
"I am pleased to work with my colleagues here in Congress, the Society of Women Engineers and countless other organizations to lead the call for more resources and support for the STEM fields. More specifically, I am committed to increasing opportunities and access to STEM fields for women, Hispanics, African Americans, and other under-represented minorities. I believe tapping into this talent is vital to America's competitiveness," said Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX).
Other Members of Congress who provided remarks at the event included Representative Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Representative Mike Honda (D-CA), Representative Hilda Solis (D-CA) and Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA).
This briefing was also co-sponsored by the following fifteen multidisciplinary organizations: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of University Women, Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, Association for Women in Science, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers, ASME, IEEE-USA, National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, Inc., National Association of Multicultural Engineering Program Advocates, Inc., National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals, Inc., National Science Teachers Association, SAE International, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and the Women in Engineering ProActive Network.
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 receive the recognition and credit for their life-changing contributions and achievements as engineers and leaders. For more information about the Society please visit www.swe.org or call (312) 596-5223.
ΒΆ The Diversity and Innovation Caucus honored for their outstanding
work in promoting diversity in the STEM fields.
