About Us

What is SWE?

SWE is short for "Society of Women Engineers." SWE is a national organization of which the collegiate section at UW-Platteville is a member. The UW-Platteville Section of SWE sets forth to expand and promote the effectiveness and acceptance of women in the engineering workplace today. This includes addressing the issues that women face as well as the issues their male co-workers face. All persons are encouraged to get involved with SWE events.Membership is open to all those interested (both male and female).

How did SWE originate?

The Society of Women Engineers originated when small groups of women engineers and women engineering students began meeting independently in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Nearly 50 women from these groups came together May 27, 1950, in New Jersey at Green Engineering Camp of the Cooper Union and formed the Society of Women Engineers.

Objectives and Mission Statement

SWE is a non-profit educational service organization dedicated to making known the need for women engineers and encouraging young women to consider an engineering education. The organization's four main objectives are as relevant today as they were more than 50 years ago:

• To inform young women, their parents, counselors, and the public in general of the qualifications and achievements of women engineers and the opportunities open to them.
• To assist women engineers in readying themselves for a return to active work after temporary retirement.
• To serve as a center of information on women in engineering.
• To encourage women engineers to attain high levels of educational and professional achievement.

The mission statement, adopted by the national SWE organization in 1985 states: The Society of Women Engineers stimulates women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers and leaders, expands image of the engineering profession as a positive force in the quality of life, and demonstrates the value of diversity.