what is MMWSS?
"The Maria Mitchell Women of Science Symposium (MMWSS) was an incredible, empowering experience. From the talks and panels, I learned about the current state of women in STEM fields, strategies for recruitment and retention of women at all stages of their career, and prospects for the future. Furthermore, during the salons I had the opportunity to interact with the symposium attendees on a more intimate level and discuss about these issues in detail. The salons were the highlight of the entire event for me; this unique format allowed me to learn about the specific experiences of other women in STEM and brainstorm ideas for solutions to problems. It was also very empowering for me, a young graduate student, to be able to contribute to discussions in this small group setting and have my input valued by the other, more senior members of the group. This symposium provided me with a wonderful opportunity to network with female mentors and also to be a mentor to younger, undergraduate students. At one point during the event, one of the undergraduate attendees approached me to ask for advice, and it was incredibly rewarding to be able to share what I have learned."
– 2018 Attendee
The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association launched its inaugural Maria Mitchell Women of Science Symposium in October 2018 during the 200th birthday year of Maria Mitchell (1818-1889). We welcomed a sold-out crowd with a waiting list to a one-and-a-half-day event in which all attendees worked together to develop real-world solutions for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). Women and men from around the country and from all walks of STEM and places in their career path were in attendance. From college first years to post-docs to women in their mid and late career stages and those who had retired. We came together to listen and to develop tools in order to create change back in our places of work and education.
The goal of the MMWSS is to promote and support women of all ages in STEM.
MMWSS aims to be:
- Inspirational and encouraging
- Informative and educational
- Inclusive of all individuals and allies
- A safe meeting space for continuing dialogue and an opportunity to interact
- A place for mentoring
- A place for providing and creating tools and real-world solutions to take back to our places of work/education/etc.
As a female undergraduate in astrophysics, I have found it extremely difficult to find a safe space to discuss issues of diversity in physics. In particular, as a woman of color I have found it nearly impossible to feel truly accepted as part of a community in my classes. MMWSS gave me that safe space, and a warm and welcoming environment. In such a short period of time, I was able to take away real actions that I could bring back to my university. I'd highly recommend MMWSS to anyone considering attending, and hope that the conference can continue to grow and touch many more women's lives.
– 2018 Attendee
Our namesake, and that of the MMA, is our guide. Maria Mitchell’s belief in hands-on-learning and in supporting, inspiring, and teaching women in the sciences will serve as our model and polestar.
MMWSS will promote:
- Hands-on learning and problem solving
- A safe space for attendees to explore solutions and to learn from one another and other existing circumstances and programs
- Developing solutions and tools
- Developing mentors and colleagues
- Opportunities in STEM for all walks of STEM disciplines – academia, business, technology, administration, support, education, students at all levels, women, men, etc.
We welcome all people and encourage those who are passionate about women in STEM to join us and help us find solutions to making the STEM disciplines all inclusive.
Themes for the MMWSS program include:
- Building community to advance and support women in the sciences;
- The current state of women in the sciences;
- The history and future of women in the sciences;
- An analysis and examination of institutions and programs that have a proven track record of implementing and supporting women in STEM.
The Symposium will culminate with the Maria Mitchell Women of Science Award, which in the past was awarded to an individual, program, organization, or group that encourages women to pursue studies and careers in the natural and physical sciences, mathematics, engineering, computer science, and technology. While there are many awards for scholastic and professional achievement in the sciences, this award recognizes those who help women succeed in scientific endeavors.
Our winners in 2018 were:
- Dava Sobel, award-winning author of books including Longitude, Galileo’s Daughter, The Glass Universe;
- Meg Urry, PhD, Israel Munson Professor of Physics and Astronomy and Director of the Yale Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics. President of the American Astronomical Society 2013-2017;
- Jill Tarter, PhD, Chair Emeritus for SETI Research and former Director of SETI Institute;
- Kate Kirby, PhD, Executive Officer of the American Physical Society.
