SWE, a nonpartisan organization, regards DEI&B as a cornerstone of our mission and a component of our nation’s technological advancement, competitiveness, and national security. We believe in a world where equal opportunities and equitable outcomes exist for all. By continuing to prioritize DEI&B, SWE can effectively address systemic barriers and cultivate a supportive community that reflects the rich diversity of perspectives and talents within engineering and technology.
With a global membership exceeding 47,000, representing diverse backgrounds and perspectives, we want each member to know that they are integral to our community and that their presence enriches the fabric of engineering and technology.
As an organization committed to ensuring all women, girls, and those underrepresented in STEM can advance professionally in engineering and technology, we have begun and will remain vigilant in tracking anti-DEI&B efforts and their impact to SWE, its members, partners, and stakeholders. We will continue to monitor state legislation and gather and analyze data on the direct impact for our members.
SWE has taken action on this matter and will continue to take direct action. In 2023, we joined with 19 professional societies to express concern on pending state-level legislation in Florida and Texas that would harm diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts with a joint letter to legislators in those states.
Moreover, the SWE Board of Directors decided that the U.S. state policy issued in 2022 negatively impacted our ability to serve members in states most affected by the anti-DEI&B rhetoric. The resulting policy was a commitment to not host SWE conferences in states where there were limits to reproductive and gender-based health care.
This policy, however, has unintentionally resulted in inequitable access to SWE programming, leaving members in those states with a lack of opportunities to engage with SWE through in-person events. As anti-DEI&B activities have increased, the Board reaffirms the Society’s support for the communities most impacted. Therefore, beginning with 2026 WE Local contracts, we will consider locations in states and countries that had previously been excluded. Interested SWE sections and affiliates can self nominate their city.
SWE remains an advocate for unrestricted access to reproductive health care and global human rights, but we must adjust our policy given the current DEI&B climate in the United States and across the globe. SWE will continue to hold the SWE Annual Conference only in states where reproductive rights are not restricted at the time the contract is signed (exceptions are locations where contracts were signed prior to the 2022 decision or any changes that may occur after the contract is signed).
To further our commitment, SWE is taking the following actions:
- WE Annual Conference registration grants will continue to prioritize individuals who are located in states where SWE does not have an annual conference planned or are impacted by organized anti-DEI&B efforts.
- A special director who is a DEI&B subject matter expert will be appointed to the Board of Directors to help the Board continue to respond and address anti-DEIB efforts. The special director will join the Board in January 2025.
- As an organization with a priority on advocacy (Strategic Goal #1: Advocacy and Collaboration), SWE will be adding state-level training materials and resources to the Advance Learning Center to support members in their local advocacy.
- SWE will provide resources for members to track these efforts in their own communities:
Advocating for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging remains mission-driven at SWE as it has always been, and our dedication to this cause remains steadfast.
