Association for Women in Mathematics

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About Association for Women in Mathematics

The Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) is a non-profit organization founded in 1971. The AWM currently has more than 3500 members representing a broad spectrum of the mathematical community — from the United States and around the world!

Since its founding in 1971 by a small but passionate group of women mathematicians, the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) has grown into a leading society for women in the mathematical sciences, and is one of the societies comprising the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences. AWM’s programs not only support those who participate in them directly, but also help influence the mathematics culture more generally, so that young women entering the field today encounter an environment that is more nurturing than that of the 1970’s and 1980’s. Throughout its 50 year History, the AWM has played a critical role in increasing the presence and visibility of women in the mathematical sciences.

Currently, there is a national dialogue around the lack of representation of women at the highest levels: across academia, government and industry, and from Wall Street to Silicon Valley. Diverse perspectives are necessary to solve complex problems in ethical ways that benefit all groups. Women can only move to these jobs if they have the right preparation, meaning they typically have moved through standard career pipelines, by which we are referring to a necessary sequence of education or jobs. AWM is focused on understanding the pipeline for women in mathematics. AWM recognizes that institutions like academia, government, and industry need to continue to review their organizational cultures and adjust their internal promotional practices, otherwise increases to the numbers of women who move through the career pipeline will still fail to affect the representation of women at the top. AWM’s work in continuing to foster and maintain the pool of talented female mathematicians is a key piece in bringing about these long-term goals.