The Association for Women in Computing (AWC) is a professional organization for
women in computing
Women in computing were among the first programmers in the early 20th century, and contributed substantially to the industry. As technology and practices altered, the role of women as programmers has changed, and the recorded history of the fiel ...
. It was founded in 1978 in
Washington, D.C.
)
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, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
, and is a member of the
Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals
The Institute for the Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) is a non-profit (501(c)(6)) institution for professional certification in the Computer engineering and Information technology industry. It was founded in 1973 by 8 professional ...
(ICCP).
Purpose
The purpose of AWC is to provide opportunities for professional growth for women in computing through networking, continuing education and mentoring.
To accomplish this they promote awareness of issues affecting women in the computing industry, further the professional development and advancement of women in computing, and encourage women to pursue careers in
computer science
Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to Applied science, practical discipli ...
. The AWC is a national, nonprofit, professional organization for women and men with an interest in information technology. It grants the
Ada Lovelace Award to individuals who have excelled in either of two areas: outstanding scientific technical achievement and/or extraordinary service to the computing community through accomplishments and contributions on behalf of women in computing.
History
AWC was founded in 1978 as a
non-profit organization
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
, originally under the name National Association for Women in Computing. The Puget Sound Chapter was founded in the winter of 1979 by Donnafaye Carroll Finger and Diane Haelsig. These two women read an article about a new association for women in computing and were soon discussing the formation of a Puget Sound Chapter. The Twin Cities Chapter of the AWC first met in December 1979, and became a chartered chapter on May 6, 1981.
Chapters
AWC has chapters in:
*
Montana State University
Montana State University (MSU) is a Public university, public land-grant university, land-grant research university in Bozeman, Montana. It is the state's largest university. MSU offers baccalaureate degrees in 60 fields, master's degrees in 6 ...
*
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...
*
Seattle, Washington
Seattle ( ) is a port, seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the county seat, seat of King County, Washington, King County, Washington (state), Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in bo ...
*
Twin Cities, Minnesota
Twins are two offspring produced by the same pregnancy.MedicineNet > Definition of TwinLast Editorial Review: 19 June 2000 Twins can be either ''monozygotic'' ('identical'), meaning that they develop from one zygote, which splits and forms two e ...
* Puget Sound Washington
See also
*
ACM-W
The Association for Computing Machinery's Council on Women in Computing (ACM-W) supports, celebrates, and advocates internationally for the full engagement of women in all aspects of the computing field, providing a wide range of programs and serv ...
*
Ada Lovelace Award
*
Anita Borg
Anita Borg (January 17, 1949 – April 6, 2003) was an American computer scientist. She founded the Institute for Women and Technology and the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing.
Education and early life
Borg was born Anita Borg Naf ...
*
Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing
The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing (GHC) is a series of conferences designed to bring the research and career interests of women in computing to the forefront. It is the world's largest gathering of women in computing. The celebra ...
*
Women in computing
Women in computing were among the first programmers in the early 20th century, and contributed substantially to the industry. As technology and practices altered, the role of women as programmers has changed, and the recorded history of the fiel ...
References
External links
Association for Women in Computing - Montana State UniversityAssociation for Women in Computing – Northern New Jersey ChapterAssociation for Women in Computing – Puget Sound ChapterAssociation for Women in Computing – Twin Cities ChapterAssociation for Women in Computing (CBI 49) Charles Babbage Institute
The IT History Society (ITHS) is an organization that supports the history and scholarship of information technology by encouraging, fostering, and facilitating archival and historical research. Formerly known as the Charles Babbage Foundation, ...
, University of Minnesota. Correspondence, minutes, reports, proceedings, audio tapes, and artifacts that document the history and activities of the AWC.
Association for Women in Computing, Twin Cities Chapter (CBI 7) Charles Babbage Institute
The IT History Society (ITHS) is an organization that supports the history and scholarship of information technology by encouraging, fostering, and facilitating archival and historical research. Formerly known as the Charles Babbage Foundation, ...
, University of Minnesota. Administrative records created by the Twin Cities Chapter of the Association for Women in Computing
{{DEFAULTSORT:Association for Women in Computing
Organizations for women in science and technology
Professional associations for women
Women in computing
Professional associations based in the United States
Computer_science-related_professional_associations