Celebrating Women’s Voices: International Women’s Day & Women’s History Month
March is a time to honor the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women around the world. International Women’s Day on March 8 shines a spotlight on the progress women have made and the work that continues toward gender equality. It also sits right in the middle of Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the trailblazers who paved the way, celebrate the innovators making a difference today, and encourage the next generation of leaders.
A fun and inspiring example comes from Kellie Gerardi, a bioastronautics researcher and science communicator recently featured in SWE Magazine. Gerardi partnered with Barbie to create a doll in her likeness, helping introduce young people to real women working in STEM and space research. It’s a great reminder that representation matters—when kids can see someone like them in science and engineering, it makes those dreams feel a little more possible.
Together, International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month remind us to celebrate women’s stories, lift up their voices, and keep supporting a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Be Seen, Be Heard, Be Found: Join Our New Profiles Database!
Have you checked out the WCEC’s Inspiring Leaders Profiles Database yet? No??
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.
The database continues to grow, and we’d love to include you! Join the WCEC’s Inspiring Leaders Profiles Database today!
Join the next ¡Rise to the Top! Cohort
LV, one of our member organizations, has set aside a few seats for those interested in joining the next ¡Rise to the Top! Signature virtual workshop program. Learn from seasoned professionals who have found the keys to success and are ready to help you advance in your career.
The four two-hour sessions will be held in May and will include breakout activities, sponsored guest speakers, and self-study reflective practices.
See dates and topics here.
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.
AISES National Conference in Portland, OR
The AISES National Conference is a unique and premier event for STEM professionals and students, attracting members and attendees from across the United States and Canada, and as far away as Alaska and Hawai’i. AISES seeks proposals for sessions that are interactive, upbeat, and inspiring, with content for attendees who attend high school and college, as well as educators and professionals. Submit your proposal by May 15th.
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 the Women in Engineering webinars offered by IEEE. These webinars are tailored to help women engineers throughout their career journey. Topics cover career advancement, salary negotiation, and ethical workplace practices, among others. You can register for future webinars or view archived webinars on their website. These recordings provide insights into the future of important technical developments, the history of women in technological fields, and the role and advancement of women in these disciplines.
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!
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.
CAMX Expo
Atlanta, GA | September 21-24, 2026
CAMX – the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo – is the largest, most comprehensive composites and advanced materials event in North America. With a robust education program and an expansive exhibit hall with hundreds of manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers, CAMX delivers a unique experience and unrivaled opportunities.
AISES National Conference
Portland, OR | October 15-17, 2026
The AISES National Conference is the premier event for STEM professionals and students, attracting over 3,500 attendees from across the U.S., Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii. This unique three-day conference focuses on educational, professional, and workforce development, bringing together students, educators, professionals, tribal entities, universities, corporations, and government agencies.
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.
