Tracking SWE’s Historical Arc
Tracking history of a complex organization like SWE requires a dedication to capturing, collating and promoting a sophisticated archival system. Fortunately, the SWE Archives serves this purpose! Originally established in 1957 by the nationally standing Archives Committee, the Walter P. Reuther Library at Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan became the permanent home of the archives in 1993.
The archives contain photos, memorabilia and artifacts from throughout SWE’s history, offering a fascinating look at numerous important moments in our history, from SWE’s founding at Camp Greenwood all the way up to WE22. Of course, the archives are more than just a collection of pictures and mementoes. Spend some time looking through them and you’ll discover inspirational insight into the many moments that have helped shape the SWE story. The SWE archives are more than an overview of where we’ve been-it is also an invaluable source of guidance, inspiration and professional renewal.
Learn more here: https://alltogether.swe.org/2015/05/take-an-inspiring-tour-through-history-with-the-swe-archives/
SWE’s podcast and blogs also capture a number of key historical moments that are worth reviewing.
Check out these featured podcasts below:
- Ep 207: Lost of Women of Science on Y.Y. Clark
- This is an episode from SWE Stories, Tales from the Archives, a sub-series of Diverse a SWE Podcast. Hosts Anne Perusek, SWE’s director of editorial and publications and Troy Eller English, SWE’s archivist sit down with Carol Sutton Lewis, co-host of the The Lost Women of Science podcast series, and Nora Mathison, senior editor and social media manager for the series.
- Ep 209: What happened in 1957: A Turning Point in SWE’s Journey Toward Inclusion
- In this special episode for Black History Month, Anne Perusek, SWE’s director of editorial and publications and Troy Eller English, SWE’s archivist sit down to talk about a few events that took place in 1957 that led to a turning point in SWE’s journey towards inclusion.
- Ep 203: SWE Stories, Tales From the Archives: Big Trees From Little Acorns Grow
- On this episode of SWE Stories: Tales from the Archives, a sub-series of Diverse, a SWE Podcast, Anne Perusek, SWE’s director of editorial and publications and Troy Eller English, SWE’s archivist sit down to talk about Ruth “Dollar Sign” Shafer, SWE’s fundraising dynamo in the 1950’s and 1960’s
- Ep 195: Researching the First Women PEs with Melinda Luna
- On this episode of Diverse, guest hosts Anne Perusek, director of editorial and publications for the Society of Women Engineers, and Troy Eller English, SWE archivist, are joined by Melinda Luna, a licensed professional engineer and longtime SWE member, and a member of SWE’s Latinos affinity group.
- EP 131: APAHM 2021 – Past SWE President Gloria Montano on Assimilation and Self-Acceptance
- In our second Diverse episode during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2021, Dr. Vidya Chamundeswari, a member of SWE’s Asian Connections Affinity Group leadership team, speaks with Gloria Montano, SWE’s first Asian American president (1997-1998). Listen as Gloria speaks about her Filipino roots and American assimilation, transitioning from Silicon Valley to the nonprofit sector, changes in SWE governance and leadership since her presidency, and more.
- Tales from the Archives: Getting from There to Here in Public Policy
- SWE members typically head to Washington D.C. around this time each year for Congressional Visits Day, speaking to their legislators about policy issues relevant to STEM education and women in the engineering workforce. SWE has hosted Congressional Visits Day for more than a decade. It’s pretty remarkable, not only because of the impact that members can have in educating policymakers, but also because for much of its history the Society has expressly avoided participating in public policy. So today we’re going back into the archives to explore how SWE’s stance evolved from actively avoiding public policy advocacy in its early years to actively engaging in it.
- SWE Stories: Tales from the Archives: SWE Celebrates 70th Anniversary
- In honor of SWE’s 70th Anniversary, Archivist Troy Eller English talks to Anne Perusek, SWE Magazine’s Director of Editorial and Publications, to bring you “Tales from the Archives,” honoring the women who founded SWE and recounting SWE’s early years, including anecdotes about some of SWE’s first meetings.
- SWE Stories: Tales From the Archives – Early Achievement Award Recipients Offer Advice
- SWE Archivist Troy Eller English talks to Anne Perusek, SWE’s Magazine Director of Editorial and Publications, to bring you part one from a 1968 SWE national convention panel with seven Achievement Award Recipients from previous years.
