Women in the EMS

A New Special Interest Group, Women in the EMS

By Glenda Gentile

During the recent EMS meeting held in Vancouver, BC, a new Special Interest Group (SIG) focusing on women's issues was proposed by members of the council. An informal gathering was held for anyone interested in the idea of starting a women's group within EMS. Even though the meeting was impromptu and publicized only via the EMS message board and word-of-mouth, about 30 interested EMS members attended. There was strong support and affirmation within this group for the new SIG. The discussion led to a set of topics and directions the members felt the special interest group should help to promote and facilitate. Subsequently, a full recommendation was brought before Council and the establishment of the Women in the EMS special interest group was ratified. The new SIG, "Women in the EMS" (WEMS), will focus on women's issues within the EMS as well as broader issues that face many women in scientific careers.

The group's goals are similar to women's groups within other scientific organizations.
WEMS's mission is to:

(1) Create opportunities for networking and mentoring for women 
(2) Encourage leadership and career development 
(3) Encourage and support representation of women throughout the society and within the scientific community.

A survey was sent to all attendees of the first impromptu meeting, unfortunately very few have taken the initiative to fill out the survey and return it. Potential focus areas suggested for WEMS include: effective communication and leadership skills, time management, balancing careers and family, networking, using the website for increased visibility and interaction through the creation of a listserve. We need your input to establish priorities and aid us in developing a forum that will strengthen and support women and our society as a whole.

Look for EMS's newest SIG, "Women in the EMS" at the upcoming EMS meetings in Atlanta, GA. If you are interested in becoming involved either as a committee member or would like to give input into programming for the committee by filling out a survey, please contact the chair of the committee Dr. Janice Pluth, Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory. 

Janice Pluth - JMPluth@lbl.gov

Glenda Gentile - ggentile@email.arizona.edu

.

 

 

EMS Contact Information:
1821 Michael Faraday Drive, Suite 300, Reston, VA 20190
Phone: (703)438-8220    FAX: (703)438-3113
EMS E-Mail:

Last Modified: April 25, 2007