Celebrating Black History Month
This Black History Month, we celebrate the groundbreaking achievements and lasting impact of Black women in engineering—innovators who have shaped industries, advanced technology, and opened doors for future generations. From pioneers like Mary Jackson, NASA’s first Black female engineer, to today’s leaders advancing aerospace, infrastructure, sustainability, and emerging technologies, Black women continue to shape the future of engineering in powerful ways.
We invite you to revisit a past WCEC webinar highlighting the remarkable career journey of Ari Meneciano – an artist, designer, and creative technologist who explores the connection between design and the human experience. Ari spoke last year about overcoming obstacles and empowering Black technologists and shared her thoughts about the implications that artificial intelligence holds for the future.
Be Seen, Be Heard, Be Found: Join Our New Profiles Database!
Celebrate your accomplishments!
Join the WCEC’s Inspiring Leaders Profiles Database today!
Representation matters—and so does visibility. The Inspiring Leaders Profiles Database is dedicated to showcasing the expertise, leadership, and achievements of women of color in engineering. This growing resource is designed to connect media, conference organizers, employers, and collaborators with talented engineers whose perspectives and innovations deserve to be seen and heard.
We invite you to create a profile and share your expertise. By participating, you’re not only highlighting your own work—you’re helping build a more inclusive, representative future for our profession.
Sign up today to add your profile to our database of diverse engineering talent!
Call for Participation
It’s conference time! Or at least, it’s time to think about how you can showcase your knowledge and experience as a conference speaker!
CAMX in Atlanta, GA
CAMX offers a comprehensive education program for the composites and advanced materials industry, featuring diverse sessions led by industry experts. Aligned with the theme "combined strength, unsurpassed innovation," CAMX invites companies and individuals to submit abstracts for opportunities to present their latest products, applications, case studies, and research.
IMAT in Quebec City, Canada
IMAT, the ASM International annual meeting focused on the membership and materials community needs, will offer an industry-oriented conference and exposition targeting a broad range of materials, processes, and their applications, with an emphasis on advanced materials and advanced manufacturing technologies. Submit your abstract by March 13th.
WE26 Annual Conference in Boston, MA
SWE wants to see you in Boston, MA, on November 5-7, 2026! If you’re interested in presenting a breakout session, the WE Call for Participation is live. Be a part of the largest conference for women in engineering! The deadline for proposals is March 9th.
ASCE2027 in Philadelphia, PA
Calling all big thinkers! The infrastructure challenges of today require new kinds of solutions. YOUR solutions. So what's your big idea? ASCE2027 is your platform to showcase the next great infrastructure solution. Submit your abstract by March 4th.
WCEC Resource Center Spotlight
We are building up the WCEC Resource Center for women of color in engineering, allies, and employers to access research, tools, and workplace resources in one central online platform.
Today we spotlight a collaborative research study from the National Society of Black Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers focused on women engineers of color in early career . When this study was conducted in 2016, only 5% of working engineers were women of color. More recent data shows that this has increased to 8%, but most of the growth is among Asian women. Black, Hispanic/Latina, and American Indian/Alaska Native women make up only 3% of working women engineers, according to the National Science Foundation’s most recently available data. The NSBE/SWE study involved interviews with women engineers of color to understand what professional engineering organizations could do to better support women in the early stages of their careers. Though this study was conducted a few years ago, the recommendations remain relevant, highlighting the importance of mentoring, networking, and job search assistance to women in the first stages of their engineering careers.
This and other resources are now available in the WCEC Resource Center. The Resource Center includes articles, reports, toolkits, and webinars offerings strategies and insights to help recruit and retain diverse engineers.
Upcoming WCEC Member Events
The WCEC shares numerous professional activities offered by our member organizations. Member organizations are committed to creating a supportive, encouraging, and inclusive environment for WOC in engineering. Find out more about their events and register to attend!
WE Local
Portland, OR | February 27-28, 2026
Columbus, OH | March 13-14, 2026
Looking for an event where you can connect with other engineers at any stage in your career? Join us at a WE Local conference held in vibrant cities around the world. These events bring together engineers and technologists of all genders at all levels, from college throughout their career, for professional development sessions, networking opportunities and inspirational speakers.
TMS 2026 Annual Meeting & Exhibition
San Diego, CA | March 15-19, 2026
The TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition brings together more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, business leaders, and other professionals in the minerals, metals, and materials fields for a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary exchange of technical knowledge.
2026 Annual Convention - National Society of Black Engineers
Baltimore, MD | March 18-22, 2026
Registration is Now Open for #NSBE2026. Join NSBE March 18-22, 2026, in Baltimore, MD, for a transformative experience in Advancing S.T.E.M.
S – Shaping the Future: Lead in AI, sustainability, and green engineering.
T – Transforming Communities: Advocate for equity and inspire the next generation in STEM.
E – Empowering Excellence: Cutting-edge education and networks for academic/professional success.
M – Mobilizing Innovation: Break barriers and drive lasting equity and innovation
SAMPE Conference
Seattle, WA | April 27-30, 2026
For more than 80 years, SAMPE has been the trusted global community for professionals advancing materials and process engineering. At SAMPE 2026, the largest advanced materials exhibition on the West Coast, you’ll connect with engineers, researchers, executives, and suppliers who are driving innovation across aerospace, automotive, energy, defense, and beyond.
AWWA ACE26
Washington, DC | June 21-24, 2026
Power up your career at ACE26 and connect with fellow water heroes to collaborate on solutions that truly matter. Engage with a community of passionate professionals dedicated to improving water quality and sustainability and vanquishing the water challenges we face.
2026 ASEE Annual Conference
Charlotte, NC | June 21-24, 2026
The ASEE Conference is the premier annual gathering for engineering and technology educators, administrators, students, and industry professionals to network, learn, and share innovations in engineering education, featuring workshops, technical sessions, career fairs, and exhibitor halls to advance instruction, research, and professional practice in the field.
What is the WCEC?
The WCEC was created in 2021 as a partnership network of professional engineering societies and STEM-based companies. The WCEC is working to address systemic barriers that prohibit equitable work environments for women engineers of color.
Thank you for your interest and support of our work. We hope that you will engage with the WCEC as we continue to implement the strategies aimed at tackling the major challenges facing women of color (WOC) in the engineering workplace.
Please share the WCEC with your network and invite others to sign up for our newsletter through the Contact Us form on the WCEC website.
