History of SWE and SWE-ROC

Society of Women Engineers was established in 1950 - from swe.org

The Society of Women Engineers' history is relatively brief, but charged by the inspiration, desire and strength of its members since its inception in 1950. Four sections were chartered in the beginning: Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C., with Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Los Angeles sections soon to follow. Dr. Beatrice Hicks from the New York section was selected to serve as the society's first president. SWE members were kept busy forming the foundation of the organization and conducting national conventions.

In 1952 the Society of Women Engineers was incorporated as a non-profit, educational service organization. SWE continued to grow in size as well as services. SWE's first scholarship was established in the name of Dr. Lillian Moller Gilbreth in 1958. From these humble beginnings, SWE has grown to 11 regions encompassing 90 professional sections and 289 student sections. SWE offers several scholarships and has joined with industry to administer outreach programs for middle and high school age students.

The Rochester Section of SWE was chartered on April 5, 1982 by 44 members. Over the years this section has provided career guidance, technical and leadership sessions, networking and engineering outreach programs. In 1996 the Rochester section awarded its first annual high school scholarship, with an additional college scholarship to be awarded in 1997.  One of the most exciting events in 1997 was the Region E Conference hosted by the Rochester SWE section. Eleven SWE sections were represented during a weekend of seminars, lectures, business meetings and a healthy balance of fun activities.

Past Presidents

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2016-         Marca Lam
2014-16     Jodi Carville
2012-14     Carol Richardson
2010-12     Dara Lubin
2009-10     Courtney Reich
2007-09     June Kanik
2005-07     Mary Barker Steblein
2003-05     Lisa Norwood
2002-03     Katherine Jedzinak/Lisa Norwood
2001-02     Edith Kondor
2000-01     Susan Aurand
1999-00     Laurie Wells
1998-99     Ellen Chamberlain
1997-98     Julia Ispentchian

1996-97     Heather J.T. Lieb
1995-96     Ronna Robertson
1993-95     Kate Smelker Dohan
1992-93     Suzanne Marcellus
1991-92     Sharon D. Robinson
1990-91     Ruthanne Kmetz
1989-90     Theresa A. Tuthill
1988-89     Elizabeth Diehl
1987-88     June Kanik
1986-87     Sheryl Gracewski
1985-86     Susanna V. Biancheri
1984-85     Cynthia A. Vaessen
1983-84     Carol A. Richardson
1982-83     Joanne M. Higgins