SWG President
Kimberly Crews |
What is The Society of Woman
Geographers (or SWG)? SWG is a non-profit professional and social
organization whose members are women who love adventure. Whether circling the globe or delving into research, we define "geographer" in the broadest sense, as people who have added to the world's knowledge. As
anthropologists, geologists, journalists, biologists, archaeologists, oceanographers, geographers, economists, diplomats, explorers and ecologists, we meet to share our discoveries and adventures.
SWG members continue to achieve. From the coral reefs at the bottom of the ocean to the content of outer space, there are very few places we haven't visited or subjects we haven't studied.
Jane Goodall's ground-breaking work with African chimpanzees is world famous. Kathryn Sullivan inspired millions when she became an astronaut. Arlene Blum led the first woman's expedition up Anapurna, the world's tenth tallest peak, and Helen Thayer studied wolves in the Arctic. Louise Emmons discovers new mammals in South America. We have more Ph.D.s among our members than most women's
organizations; roughly 20 per cent of our members are academics. For a
quick glimpse of the diversity of member achievements, see both
Oral History summaries and
Awards given for distinguished contributions to knowledge about our world.
Benefits:
Aside from a far-flung network of interesting women, the SWG offers its members
a number of other benefits. Our headquarters, located in Washington, D.C.,
four blocks from the U.S. Capitol, houses our archives and
museum, and a library of books written by members. Every three years,
we congregate in an unusual place for our Triennial
meeting to visit, learn, and conduct official business. Other benefits
include:
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Publications: Our newsletter is published three times
annually, and the Bulletin is a listing of all members and
their accomplishments, cross-indexed by location. |
Archives: The record of each member's professional and
personal accomplishments maintained at Headquarters is eventually housed in
the library of Congress, available to scholars. |
Honors: The achievements of exceptional members are
recognized with the Gold Medal, Outstanding Achievement Award, and
permission to carry the SWG flag on significant expeditions. |
Meetings: Groups located in Washington, New York,
Chicago, Florida, the Bay Area, and Southern California meet regularly to
hear noted speakers and socialize. |
Background: SWG was
founded in 1925 by four women who were ineligible for membership in similar
male-only organizations. Today, we continue the single-sex tradition
because we enjoy the company of like-minded women. In the Society's early
years, there were still many unknown places and peoples to be discovered and
studied, and Society members were in the vanguard of courageous explorers.
Air transportation was just beginning when early SWG member Amelia Earhart made
her solo flight across the Atlantic. Margaret Mead pioneered much of
modern anthropology.
For a glimpse at the diversity and great achievements
made by Society members, review the list of those who have received the
Society's Awards as well as
see the summaries about the many members whose careers are documented in
our Oral History
program.
We are anthropologists, geologists,
journalists, biologists, archaeologists, oceanographers, geographers,
economists, diplomats, explorers and ecologists.
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