Society of Women Engineers Celebrates 75th Anniversary at Cooper Union on May 6

Summary

May 5, 2025 - The Society of Women Engineers Founder’s Day Celebration for SWE’s’ 75^th Anniversary will take place May 6, 2025 at 6 p.m. ET at The Great Hall at The Cooper Union in New York City, 30 Cooper Sq, New York, NY 10003.

Cooper Union holds a special place in the history of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) because it was the location of the organization’s first official meeting in 1950. On May 27, 1950, approximately 60 women engineers and engineering students gathered at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City to formally establish the Society of Women Engineers.

Cooper Union, known for its progressive commitment to science, art and equal access to education, was the perfect birthplace for SWE. From this historic foundation, SWE has grown into a global movement advancing women in STEM and engineering leadership.

To celebrate its 75^th Anniversary, SWE has created an inspirational program with key figures in past and current STEM development.

Keynote Speaker Kellie Gerardi is an astronaut, mom, bioastronautics researcher, author and popular science communicator who serves as the Director of Human Spaceflight Operations for the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS). 

Following the keynote, a panel discussion features SWE Collegiate and Professional members sharing stories of women in engineering past, present and future.

• Karen Roth, FY25 SWE president | Moderator
• Jill Tietjen, PE, F.SWE, SWE past president (FY92)
• Inaas Darrat, SWE president-elect
• Troy Eller English, SWE archivist
• Lizelle Ocfemia, The Cooper Union, SWE section president

SWE CEO and Executive Director Karen Horting, CAE, will be available for interviews after the event. To learn more about SWE’s 75^th Anniversary, visit the SWE 75^th Timeline here. To register as media to cover the WE Local Conference, email Chris Martin, SWE Media Relations at [email protected].

About SWE

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), founded in 1950, is the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. The not-for-profit educational and service organization is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women. To ensure SWE members reach their full potential as engineers and leaders, the Society offers unique opportunities to network, provides professional development, shapes public policy and provides recognition for the life-changing contributions and achievements of women engineers. As a champion of diversity, SWE empowers women to succeed and advance in their personal and professional lives.