From our annual Congressional Outreach Days to SWE’s Public Policy Affinity Group (AG), there are a multitude of ways members of the Society of Women Engineers can engage with public policy and policymakers in the United States. Getting involved is easy, and SWE offers guidance and resources to help members become more engaged in STEM advocacy.
Please note that as a 501(c)(3) organization, SWE is strictly nonpartisan and cannot endorse political candidates.
Voting
Firstly: exercise your right to vote! Do you have a voting plan ready? Elections shape our democracy, and your voice matters. For more voting information, check out VOTE411 (presented by the League of Women Voters) or TurboVote, both of which provide critical information, including how to register to vote, where your polling place is, and what you’ll see on your ballot.
What does a voting plan look like?
- Verify your voter registration.
- Know where your polling place is (this can sometimes change from election to election).
- Research what exactly will be on your ballot (VOTE411 has a tool to preview your ballot).
- Share your voting plan with friends and family and encourage them to vote as well.
Congressional Outreach Days
Every spring, SWE hosts Congressional Outreach Days during which SWE members engage with U.S. elected officials and their staff in Washington, D.C. In 2024, SWE members advocated for public policies that promote equity in the research lab, classroom, and workforce, such as the STEM RESTART Act. You can find out more about this event on the All Together blog.
Additional Places to Start
Our Public Policy AG offers a more consistent way to engage with policy. You can also visit SWE’s public policy page to find the Society’s public policy goals, positions, trainings, bill tracker, and announcements.
More to Explore
Feeling inspired? Check out previous pieces SWE has published about voting, civic engagement, and more.
Diverse: A SWE Podcast
- Ep 280: Engaging Youth STEM Voters With Jennifer McAndrew of Tufts University
Jennifer McAndrew from Tufts University’s Tisch College of Civic Life explores the critical issue of voter turnout among STEM students with Roberta Rincon, Ph.D., director of research and impact at SWE. - Ep 265: Engineers in Public Policy: From Advocacy to Running for Office
In this episode, members of the SWE Public Policy AG explore the many ways that engineers can get involved with public policy ― from learning about the issues, to speaking to legislators and even running for office! - Tales from the Archives: Getting from There to Here in Public Policy
Dive into the archives to explore how SWE’s stance evolved from avoiding public policy advocacy in the organization’s early years to actively engaging in advocacy efforts today.
All Together Blog
- SWE@UCLA’s Passion for Public Policy
As part of the Public Policy AG’s spotlight month on All Together, the group showcases the efforts of SWE@UCLA. - Closing the STEM Gap on Capitol Hill
SWE Past President Alexis McKittrick, Ph.D., spoke at the Women’s Congressional Policy Institute for a STEM briefing on the persistent challenges in increasing diversity in the STEM workforce. - Public Policy Affinity Group Members on Capitol Hill Day
Hear the firsthand experiences of SWE members who have attended Congressional Outreach Days.
SWE Magazine
- A Closer Look at the Data
SWE’s Director of Research and Impact Roberta Rincon, Ph.D., addresses low voter rates among U.S. engineering students. - SWE Takes Activism to Capitol Hill
SWE members petition federal legislators to support equal pay, STEM education, and reentry programs for women in STEM.
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SWE Blog provides up-to-date information and news about the Society and how our members are making a difference every day. You’ll find stories about SWE members, engineering, technology, and other STEM-related topics.
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