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    Chat with Enginuity Now
    SWE Celebrates Turning 75!
    th image

    Since its founding in 1950, SWE has grown to over 45,000 members and continues to advocate for greater gender equity and diversity. Learn More

    sweSWAG
    Sweswag

    Visit the sweSwag store to get your gear on. Learn More

  • membership
    Membership
    • Renew Your Membership
    • Become a Member
      • Collegiate Membership
      • Professional Membership
      • Educator Membership
      • Life Member, Retired or Unemployed Membership
    • Friend of SWE
    Member Resources
    • Advance Learning Center
    • Affinity Groups
    • Free Patent Academy
    • Member Offers and Discounts
    • Member Portal
    • Member Promotion Toolkits
    • Membership Statistics
    • Mentoring
    • Sections and Affiliates
    • Workplace Groups
    Section & Affiliate Resources
    • Billhighway
    • Brand Guidelines
    • Community College
    • Logo Downloads
    • Global Affiliates
    • Section Leadership
    • Section & Affiliate Start Up
    • Section / Affiliate Website Signup
    • Section & Affiliate Resource Hub
    Affinity Groups
    mega-item-2968

    The SWE Affinity Groups (AGs) mission is to bring together communities with similar interests and backgrounds supporting the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) strategic goals of SWE. Join today!

    Join SWE Today
    Membership

    Click here to access or create an account!

  • scholarships
    Scholarships
    • Scholarships
    • Scholarships by Section
    • Society Selected Scholarships
    • Apply for a SWE Scholarship
    • Donate to SWE Scholarships
    • Volunteer
    • Scholarship Knowledge Base
    • Celebrate 65 Years of SWE Scholarships
  • programs
    Precollege Programs
        • SWENext 
        • SWENext Clubs
        • SWENext Influencers
        • SWENext Resources
        • SWENext Awards
        • SWENext Connect
        • SWENext High School Leadership Academy (SHLA)
        • Constance & Nano Comics 
        • STEM Pathways
        •  
    Learn more about SWENext
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    • Educators
    • Outreach Toolkit
    • Youth Protection
    Professional Programs
    • SWE Learning
    • Digital Credentialing 
    • Mentoring
    • Advance Learning Center
    SWE Advance Logo Revised Color
    • Academic Leadership for Women in Engineering (ALWE)
    • Collegiate Leadership Institute (CLI)
    • Leadership Development Program (LDP)
    • SWE Leadership Competency Model
    • Ignite Leadership Program
    • Return to Work Cohort
    Global Programs
    • About SWE Global Programs
    • Global Ambassadors
    Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Products

    At SWE, we acknowledge and respect the value of a diverse community. Learn More

    Speaking With SWE

    Are you interested in hosting or developing a professional development session? Learn More

  • events
    WE SaveTheDate PPT x jc
    SWE Conferences
    • WE Conference
    • Past and Future WE Conferences
    • WE Local Conferences
    Other SWE Events
    • Upcoming Events Calendar
    • SWE Group Events Tracker
  • awards
    mega-item-2971
    SWE Awards Program Open January 1 - March 1.

    The Society of Women Engineers strives to advance and honor the contributions of women at all stages of their careers as well as recognize the successes of SWE members and individuals who enhance the engineering profession through contributions to industry, education and the community. Learn More

    Awards
    • About Awards
    • SWE Awards Program
    • SWE Recognition Program
    • Collegiate Competitions
    • SWENext Awards
    • WE Local Awards
    • Certificates of Merit or Achievement
  • partner
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      • Conference Partnerships & Recruitment Services
      • Packages
      • Advertising / Branding
      • Scholarships
      • Professional Development
      • Pre-University & University Programming
      • DEI&B Products & Services
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • Corporate Partnership Council
    • STEM Return to Work Programming and Services
    • Program Development Grants
    Why Partner With SWE
    partner website image

    As a partner, you can help support critical outreach programs and initiatives that reinforce diversity programming to aid the recruitment, advancement and success of women engineers. Your support at any level is a vital part of the work we do to empower women at all stages of their education and career. 

    Become a partner! Learn More

    Visit our Mediakit
    media kit header image

    SWE members can be found in over 400 professional and collegiate sections in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. With a variety of sponsorships and advertising options, SWE offers distinguished opportunities to reach your target audience. 

    Learn More

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SWE Magazine Callout
SUMMER 2025
Departments, Closing Thoughts

SWE’s Commitment to You Is Unwavering

By Karen Horting
Karen CEO Headshot
If SWE’s legacy is to endure, we must continuously adapt and innovate, keeping DEIB and global growth at the forefront of our efforts.

This year is the 75th anniversary of the Society of Women Engineers, a time to celebrate and honor our rich history, reflect on our progress, and recommit to the values that have guided our growth and impact. At the heart of our journey lies an unwavering dedication to two deeply interconnected priorities — advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, or DEIB, and expanding our global presence. These twin commitments are not simply aspirations; they are strategic imperatives that shape every facet of our mission and vision.

SWE was founded in 1950 to support and empower women engineers, a bold act of advocacy and foresight at a time when women faced formidable barriers in STEM. Today, the engineering profession has evolved, and SWE has grown in size, reach, and influence. But our work is far from over. If SWE’s legacy is to endure, we must continuously adapt and innovate, keeping DEIB and global growth at the forefront of our efforts. Despite the challenges facing us all at this time, rest assured our commitment to SWE’s mission is unwavering!

Our DEIB commitment is rooted in the belief that engineering is at its best when it reflects the diverse world it serves. Through research, programming, partnerships, and advocacy, SWE strives to create inclusive environments in which all individuals feel seen, heard, and valued. We are proud to provide tools and training for our members, allies, partners, and employees — resources that support inclusive leadership, equitable workplace practices, and the dismantling of systemic barriers. From SWE’s affinity groups to our annual literature review in SWE Magazine, we offer data-driven insights, advice from leading experts, and real-world solutions to advance equity and diversity across the profession.

DEIB is a lived value within SWE. The staff, leadership, and volunteers all strive to be more equitable and inclusive on a day-to-day basis. We prioritize diverse representation in our leadership, ensure accessibility across our programs and events, and foster a culture of continuous learning and accountability. Belonging isn’t a buzzword at SWE — it’s a value we practice every day.

Equally vital to our legacy is our global footprint. SWE has made tremendous strides in establishing a truly international footprint. From India to Nigeria, Europe to Latin America, our global affiliates and partners are extending SWE’s impact into new regions and creating pathways for all women engineers to thrive. Our global members share the same aspirations and challenges as those in the U.S., including access to opportunity, supportive networks, and the ability to lead on their own terms. That’s why we ensure that SWE’s global programming, conferences, and virtual platforms offer a powerful ecosystem for connection and professional development across borders and time zones, including at our newest WE Local in Brazil, debuting this August.

As we grow globally, we do so in a culture of humility and collaboration. Recognizing the diversity of our global community, we understand that there are some unique challenges women face in engineering around the world and that local context matters. SWE is committed to listening, learning, and partnering authentically with our members.

Because of our focus on DEIB and global growth, we are creating a powerful legacy — one that future generations of women engineers will inherit and be well-equipped to shape. It is an honor to lead SWE during this historic milestone. Let us take a moment to recommit to the values that define us, embrace the work still ahead, and continue building a future for global engineering where everyone is valued and know they belong.

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    Karen Horting

    Karen Horting (she/her), CAE, is the SWE executive director and CEO. She joined the Society in 2004 after working with the New York Academy of Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

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