The Society of Women Engineers Congratulates Dr. Sheila Widnall for Her Induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame
CHICAGO--Oct. 3, 2003--| Dr. Sheila Widnall, former Secretary of the Air Force, Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT, to be inducted into National Women's Hall of Fame at New York ceremony October 4th |
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) announced today that 1975 SWE Achievement Award recipient and MIT faculty member Dr. Sheila Widnall will be inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame this Saturday in Seneca Falls, New York.
Sheila Widnall is an Institute Professor and Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT. She is also a member and current Vice President of the National Academy of Engineering. Recently she served as a member of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, investigating the Shuttle tragedy.
Dr. Widnall was the first woman to serve as the head of a branch of a military service. Appointed as Secretary of the Air Force, she served from 1993-1997 and was responsible for all the affairs of the Department of the Air Force. This included recruiting, training, and equipping of the men and women on duty in the Air Force, Air National Guard, Air Reserve and civilians. She was also responsible for administration, logistical support, maintenance, and welfare of personnel. Dr. Widnall also led research and development and other activities prescribed by the President or the Secretary of Defense. She co-chaired the Department of Defense Task Force on Sexual Harassment and Discrimination.
During her career at MIT she served as the first woman Chair of the MIT faculty and as Associate Provost where she had responsibility for academic integrity including conflict of interest policy, Federal relations, faculty retirement, tenure and promotion policies, and international programs. During this time she pioneered the role of women at MIT and saw the percentage of undergraduate women rise to 45%. MIT now has three engineering departments where women are a majority of the undergraduates.
"The National Women's Hall of Fame honors the women whose contributions have the greatest value in the development of the United States," said Alma Martinez Fallon, president of the Society of Women Engineers. "We are very proud to see Dr. Widnall honored for her contributions to the Department of the Air Force, her advancements in aeronautical engineering, and her leadership in engineering education that has resulted in unprecedented numbers of women pursuing the field."
The Induction Ceremony will take place Saturday, October 4th at the New York Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls, NY at 1:30 pm. In attendance from the Society will be Alma Martinez Fallon, SWE president, Rachel McQuillen, SWE life member and past president, Jill Tietjen, SWE Fellow Life Member and Past President, Alexis Swoboda, SWE Fellow Life Member and past National Board of Directors member and Anne Perusek, SWE Editor.
About SWE
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), founded in 1950, is a non-profit educational and service organization. SWE is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women. SWE empowers women to succeed and advance in those aspirations and receive the recognition and credit for their life-changing contributions and achievements as engineers and leaders. For more information about the Society please visit www.swe.org or call (312) 596-5223.
