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, DC. Nearly 50 women from these groups came together on May 27, 1950, in New Jersey at Green Engineering Camp of the Cooper Union and formed the Society of Women Engineers.

What are SWE's objectives and mission?

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

Who can join SWE?

While most SWE members are women engineers or women engineering students located in the United States and Puerto Rico, anyone who supports the organization's objectives may apply for membership. SWE has members in every state as well as in more than 20 foreign countries and U.S. military locations overseas. U.S. citizenship is not required.
Membership was opened to men in 1976 (previously there was a men's auxiliary, known as MASWE).

Membership grades and qualifications are the same for men as they are for women. Membership grades are: Student Member, Affiliate, Associate, Member, Senior Member, Fellow, and Honorary. Applicants are assigned to the highest membership grade for which they are eligible. An application, which can be printed, completed and submitted to Society Headquarters, may be accessed from the Society's homepage.

After submitting an application, an individual is automatically assigned to either the Section which covers that geographical area or, if the area isn't part of a Section, to the Members-at-Large. Some Sections, particularly SWE's older Sections, cover vast areas. Many times two or more separate metropolitan areas are part of the same Section, but meetings and activities may be concentrated in only one. Members in an outlying metropolitan area may seek to form a separate Section with a more localized focus.

How can I join SWE?

To join the Society of Women Engineers, you must fill out an application and submit it with payment.

For information on pricing and how to join, please read below.

The same information is also on the application form.
PDF file format (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader): 2 page Application PDF

If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may download it for free. Click Here.

How can I receive a membership application?

You can apply online!!!  Just click here!

If you have any questions or still need an application form, feel free to contact the University of Toledo SWE Chapter ( swe@eng.utoledo.edu )

What is the cost of a SWE membership?

Dues for full time students are $20 annually.

Student applicants are not required to pay an application fee.
Allow 4-6 weeks for processing.

What form of payment will SWE accept?

SWE accepts money orders, personal checks, and Visa and Master Card. Checks should be made payable to SWE.
Please DO NOT send cash.

How do I submit my application?

Mail to:

Society of Women Engineers
Dept. 20-1023
P.O. Box 5940
Carol Stream, IL 60197-5940

Application by Credit Card may be faxed to (312) 644-8557.

(312) 644-0828 Ask for Society of Women Engineers.

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