Is the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) still relevant?

AMATYC 39th Annual Conference

Is the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) still relevant?

Magnhild LienAWM/California State University Northridge

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The purpose of the Association for Women in Mathematics is to encourage women and girls to study and to have active careers in the mathematical sciences, and to promote equal opportunity and equal treatment of women and girls in the mathematical sciences.

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The Beginning• The lack of equal opportunity and equal treatment of women in

mathematics was an impetus for the establishment of the association in 1971.

• Lenore Blum wrote in an article in the September 1991 issue of the Notices of the American Mathematical Society (AMS): “I think it is fair to say that the AWM had its birth at the Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM) in Atlantic City in 1971. The formal idea of women getting together and forming a caucus was first made publicly at a MAG [Mathematics Action Group] meeting in 1971 ... in Atlantic City. Joanne Darken, then an instructor at Temple University stood up at the meeting and suggested that the women present remain and form a caucus.”

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Again quoting from Lenore Blum’s article “In those years the AMS was governed by what could only be called an ``old boys network,'' closed to all but those in the inner circle. Mary Gray (who became the first AWM president) from the American University challenged that by sitting in on the Council meeting in Atlantic City. When she was told she had to leave, she responded she could find no rules in the by-laws restricting attendance at Council meetings. She was then told it was by ``gentlemen's agreement.'' Naturally Mary replied ``Well, obviously I'm no gentleman.'' After that time, Council meetings were open to observers and the process of democratization of the Society had begun.”

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Some statistics from that same meeting also illustrate the lack of presence and recognition, at the national level, of women mathematicians. • Of the more than fifteen invited speakers (the

one-hour lectures) - none were female (O%); of the more than 300 AMS ten minute talks, about fifteen were given by women (5%).

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As a contrast, more than 40 years later, at the 2013 JMM in San Diego • Thirty-one (31) percent of the invited AMS/MAA

speakers were women.

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Laura De Marco, University of Illinois at Chicago, Combining complex and arithmetic dynamics: A study of critically-finite maps.

Alice Guionnet, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Free probability, Random matrices, and map enumeration, I. (AMS Colloquium Lectures: Lecture I, II and III)

http://jointmathematicsmeetings.org/meetings/national/jmm2013/2141_program_thursday.html

http://jointmathematicsmeetings.org/meetings/national/jmm2013/2141_program_wednesday.html

AMATYC 39th Annual Conference11/2/2013

JOINT MATHEMATICS MEETINGS, SAN DIEGO, JANUARY 9-12, 2013 Joint Invited AddressesKenneth M. Golden, University of Utah, Mathematics and the melting polar ice caps. (MAA-AMS-SIAM Gerald and Judith Porter Public Lecture)Robin Pemantle, David Rittenhouse Laboratories, Zeros of polynomials and their importance in combinatorics and probability. (AMS-MAA)Emily F. Shuckburgh, British Antarctic Survey , Using mathematics to better understand the Earth's climate. (AMS-MAA)

AMS Invited AddressesGerard Ben Arous, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, Complexity of random functions of many variables.Jean Bourgain, Institute for Advanced Study, Diophantine applications of the theory of expansion and spectral gaps in thin groups.Laura De Marco, University of Illinois at Chicago, Combining complex and arithmetic dynamics: A study of critically-finite maps.Jordan S. Ellenberg, University of Wisconsin-Madison, How to count with topology.Alice Guionnet, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Free probability, Random matrices, and map enumeration, I. (AMS Colloquium Lectures: Lecture I, II and III)Robert M. Guralnick, University of Southern California, Generators and Relations for Finite Groups.Cedric Villani, Institut Henri Poincaré, On disorder, mixing, and equilibration. (AMS Josiah Willard Gibbs Lecture)

MAA Invited AddressesTimothy Chartier, Davidson College, Thinking linearly about data.Judith Covington, Louisiana State University Shreveport, The game of SET and geometry. (MAA Lecture for Students)Tony DeRose, Pixar Studios, How mathematics has changed Hollywood.Chris Rasmussen, San Diego State University, Who chooses not to persist in calculus and why?Suzanne Weekes, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Industrial strength mathematics in academia.Paul Zorn, St. Olaf College, Communicating Mathematics. (MAA Retiring Presidential Address)

http://jointmathematicsmeetings.org/meetings/national/jmm2013/2141_program_saturday.html

http://jointmathematicsmeetings.org/meetings/national/jmm2013/2141_program_friday.html


http://jointmathematicsmeetings.org/meetings/national/jmm2013/2141_invited.html















• In addition AWM sponsored, as it has for more than 30 years, the Noether Lecture, given by a woman who has made fundamental and sustained contributions to the mathematical sciences.

The 2013 Noether Lecturer

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Raman Parimala, Emory University, A Hasse principle for quadratic forms over function fields.



Twenty female mathematics graduate students presented posters, 6 senior women and 12 recent women PhDs gave talks in the AWM workshop held at the meeting.

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The AWM NewsletterFirst issue May 1971 Nov/Dec issue 2013

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Notice the name of the association in the May 1971 Newsletter.Association of Women Mathematicians


This was short lived. Paragraph from the September 1971 issue of the Newsletter.

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Fast forward to 2013

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The Education Column includes a piece on

And then there is

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Gizem Karaali, Pomona College, reviews

The four myths discussed in the book are

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In 2011 AWM celebrated its 40th anniversary, “40 Years and Counting”. The celebration culminated with a research conference at Brown University.

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https://sites.google.com/site/awmmath/config/pagetemplates/awm-40th-anniversary-events/awm40logo.jpg?attredirects=0


Since its conception in 1971 AWM has evolved into a well established professional organization that contributes much to the well being of female mathematicians, showcases contributions to the mathematical sciences by women and tries to instill an “I can do math” attitude among young girls.


Some StatisticsIntentions of freshmen to major in S&E field by gender (2010)

(in percent)

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Biological

Sci

Computer Scie

nce

Engineerin

g

Mathemati

cs/Sta

tistics

Physical

Science

s

Socia

l Behav

ioral Sc

i0

5

10

15

20

25 12.4

0.4

4

0.72.2

13.6

FemaleMale


Associates degrees awarded by field and gender 2001 - 2010

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Field and gender 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010Female

All fields 351,226 360,430 383,320 408,490 432,451 446,231 456,145 471,155 493,013 530,895Math/Stat 246 240 269 299 278 270 279 280 295 326

Male

All fields 234,384 239,864 254,633 261,845 269,283 271,951 277,006 284,443 300,266 325,486Math/Stat 450 446 466 503 529 483 548 575 635 725

Percent Female 35.3% 34.9% 36.6% 37.3% 34.4% 35.6% 33.7% 32.7% 31.7% 31%

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 20100

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

246 240 269 299 278 270 279 280 295326

FemaleMales


Bachelor’s degree recipients 2001-2010 (percent female)

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2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 201057

57.1

57.2

57.3

57.4

57.5

57.6

57.4

57.6 57.6 57.657.5

57.657.5

57.4

57.3

57.2

Female Bachelor Degree Recipients in all fields


Bachelor’s degree recipients in Mathematics/ Statistics 2001-2010 (Percent female)

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2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010404142434445464748

4846.9

45.6 45.9

44.6 44.943.9 43.9

43 43.1

Female Bachelor Degree Recipients in Math/Stat


Doctorates awarded to US citizens and permanent residents in Mathematics and Statistics 2001-2010

Male versus Female

Percent Female

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2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 20100

10203040

27.6 29.5 29 30 28.2 25.929.9 32.5 29.8 28.7

Female doctorates

0100200300400500600700800900

145129

149153152151193218235

245

FemaleMale


AWM in 2013 and BeyondWomen’s participation in the mathematical community has increased significantly since 1971 when AWM was founded, but there is still a need for a professional association that promotes equal opportunity and equal treatment of women and girls in the mathematical sciences.

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As detailed in a recent New York Times Magazine article by Eileen Pollack on women in science, there is still much to be done to make the environment in STEM fields a welcoming and supportive environment for women. As Pollack urges, “we need to make sure that we stop losing girls at every step as they fall victim to their lack of self-esteem, their misperceptions as to who does or doesn’t go on in science and their inaccurate assessments of their talents.” This is particularly important in mathematics, for without strong math skills, women are not prepared to go into any of the sciences.

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The Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) is the leading national society for women in the mathematical sciences. AWM’s innovative programs reach women of all ages, from girls in grades K-12 to professional women in academia and industry. Through these programs, AWM seeks to encourage young women to study mathematics and supports them throughout their career development.

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For more than 40 years, AWM has created networking opportunities, provided career mentoring, sponsored conferences, prizes, and distinguished lectureships, and worked to create a positive image of mathematics for girls in grades K-12. In recent years, AWM has focused increased attention on strengthening connections with industry, building research networks and highlighting outstanding achievements of women early in their careers.

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AWM’s programs enable more women to enter the pipeline to STEM careers and provide support and encouragement for those who choose this path.

In an average year, AWM reaches nearly 1,000 middle and high school girls through innovative math fairs. It provides guidance to 40 undergraduate student chapters and promotes the work of approximately 125 graduate students and recent PhDs through travel grants, workshops, and presentations at major conferences. AWM provides role models and inspiration to countless others by highlighting the accomplishments of women in mathematics through biennial research symposia, seven prizes, and three distinguished lectureships.

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AWM Programs

• Essay Contests: To help girls envision a career in the mathematical sciences, AWM sponsors an essay contest for students in 6th grade through college to write biographies of contemporary women mathematicians in academia, industry, or government. The essays testify to the strong impression these interviews can make on the young writers.

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In 2003 a middle school girl in Alpharetta, GA wrote “Imagine an area of mathematics where shapes know no boundaries and can bend and twist like a piece of rubber. It is often said of people who study this odd subject, topology, that they can be found dipping a coffee cup into a doughnut because these two objects are topologically equivalent.” in her essay about mathematician Krystyna Kuperberg. Today this young woman is a graduate student in Computer Science at MIT

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• Sonia Kovalevsky Days: Sonia Kovalevsky Mathematics Days for middle and high school girls and their teachers, are one-day workshops featuring engaging talks, problem-solving competitions, and math activities. Participants are exposed to new and exciting aspects of mathematics and introduced to role models from industry and academia.

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Sonya Kovalevsky Day 2012March 23, 2012

Barnard College, Columbia University, and the Urban Assembly Institute

Time Event

8:45-9:00 Registration and refreshments.

9:00-9:30 Welcome and overview of the day.

9:30-10:30Workshop series A:

"The Mathematics of SET"Barnard 409

Workshop series B: "Jump Ropes and Arithmetic: Conway's Rational Tangles"

Barnard 302

Workshop series C: "How to Solve a Rubik's

Cube"The James Room

10:30-11:30

Workshop series A: "Trailing the Dovetail Shuffle

to its Lair"Barnard 409

Workshop series B: "What Are the Odds?"

Barnard 302

Workshop series C: "Music Meets its Match:

Mod-12 Math and Melody"Barnard 304

11:30-12:30

Workshop series A: "Jump Ropes and Arithmetic: Conway's Rational Tangles"

Barnard 409

Workshop series B: "Music Meets its Match:

Mod-12 Math and Melody" Barnard 302

Workshop series C: "Pascal's Triangle"

Barnard 304

12:30-1:00 Lunch!

http://math.columbia.edu/~lipshitz/Kovalevsky/2012/

http://math.columbia.edu/~lipshitz/Kovalevsky/2012/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sofja_Wassiljewna_Kowalewskaja_1.jpg


SK Day at Bates College in May 2012

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• USA Science and Engineering Festival (USASEF): The USA Science and Engineering Festival, held biennially on the National Mall in Washington, DC, attracts thousands of children of all ages. AWM has participated in and helped to promote this event since 2010. The AWM booth features fun, challenging hands-on activities and has been one of the most popular booths at the festival. AWM will be there again in 2014

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AWM at USASEF 2012

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• Student Chapters: To foster a sense of community and connect undergraduate and graduate women, AWM encourages student chapters (often associated with math clubs) at individual colleges and universities. Activities include sponsoring lectures by local mathematicians, site visits to major employers of mathematicians, social gatherings, mentoring and K-12 outreach activities.

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Student chapter at UC San Diego

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• Mentoring Programs: Good mentoring is central to addressing the issues facing women in STEM fields. The AWM Mentor Network connects girls with an interest in mathematics and women pursuing careers in the field with professional mathematicians in academia and industry for one-on-one mentoring.

There are currently 212 mentors in the Network and 221 mentees (up from 190 and 171 respectively last year) with 153 matches.

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Comments from mentor/mentees“I got a mentor through this program when I was in high school and I enjoyed the experience greatly! Now I want to return the favor and help more girls out!”

“The relationship I have with my mentee is very relaxed. I share my experiences, and she asks all the questions she wants. It feels very good to be helping young students out. It reminds me of the movie "pay it forward." So far, a great experience.“

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• Travel grants: AWM travel grants enable women building a career in the mathematical sciences to travel to conferences and work with collaborators in other geographic locations. These grants help to advance the careers of the recipients by promoting collaborative research and productive mentoring relationships.

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• Conferences and Workshops: Through a series of large research symposia and smaller focused workshops, AWM encourages early career women to share their research, discuss career issues and interact with more senior women in their field. These events build confidence, sustain networks, and lead to greater integration of women in the broader mathematical community.

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Mentoring at AWM Workshop at the JMM

AWM Panel at MAA MathFest

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Poster Session at SIAM (Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics)

Attendees at AWM Research Symposium at Santa Clara University

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• Prizes and Distinguished Lectureships: To provide strong role models and highlight outstanding work by women in mathematics, AWM sponsors a series of prizes and distinguished lectureships at major mathematics meetings. These range from recognizing outstanding potential in undergraduate women to celebrating the most significant research accomplishments of women in the profession.

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LOUISE HAY AWARD FOR CONTRIBUTION TO MATHEMATICS EDUCATION is awarded to a woman at the Joint Prize Session at the JMM every January. This award recognizes outstanding achievements in any area of mathematics education.

While Louise Hay was widely recognized for her contributions to mathematical logic and for her strong leadership as Head of the Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Chicago, her devotion to students and her lifelong commitment to nurturing the talent of young women and men secure her reputation as a consummate educator. The annual presentation of this award highlights the importance of mathematics education and to evoke the memory of all that Hay exemplified as a teacher, scholar, administrator, and human being.

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ALICE T. SCHAFER MATHEMATICS PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN MATHEMATICS BY AN UNDERGRADUATE WOMANThe Alice T. Schafer Prize for Excellence in Mathematics by an Undergraduate Woman was established in 1990. The prize is named for former AWM president and one of its founding members, Alice T. Schafer (1915-2009), who contributed a great deal to women in mathematics throughout her career.

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GWENETH HUMPHREYS AWARD FOR MENTORSHIP OF UNDERGRADUATE WOMEN IN MATHEMATICS was established in memory of M. Gweneth Humphreys to recognize outstanding mentorship activities. This prize is awarded annually to a mathematics teacher (female or male) who has encouraged female undergraduate students to pursue mathematical careers and/or the study of mathematics at the graduate level. The award is named for M. Gweneth Humphreys (1911-2006). Humphreys earned her Ph.D. at age 23 from the University of Chicago in 1935. She taught mathematics to women for her entire career, first at Mount St. Scholastica College, then for several years at Sophie Newcomb College, and finally for over thirty years at Randolph Macon Woman's College.

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Recent winners of AWM awards and Prizes

2013 Schafer award winnerMurphyKate MonteeYuhou Xia (runner up),Thao Do (honorable mention)

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2013 Hay Award winner Amy Cohen

Humphreys Award Winner James Morrow


While other professional organizations serve the mathematics community as a whole, the Association for Women in Mathematics is the only organization that focuses primarily on encouraging women to study mathematics and supporting them throughout their career development.

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Recall that in the beginning the name of the association was Association of Women Mathematicians. This was quickly changed to Association for Women in Mathematics.About 13 percent of AWM members are men. AWM helps both men and women see the highquality of women’s work in mathematics and their contributions to the discipline. The entire field of mathematics benefits when women’s contributions are recognized and supported.

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Thank YouFor more information about the Association for

Women in Mathematics and to join AWM please visit

www.awm-math.org

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http://www.awm-math.org/

Is the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) still relevant?

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