Now a group of aspiring female scientists is trying to change all that. Over the last three years, WISE has grown to more than 300 members, with a mailing list of about 800 women. Its bi-monthly meetings draw at least 250 students. The idea, according to biology concentrator Mimi Kim '96, is to provide Brown women with models of successful female scientists and engineers while raising faculty awareness of the distinctive experience and perspective that women can bring to technical work. WISE has several programs that match female science students with mentors, and the group is creating an alumni network to help female scientists find work after leaving Brown.
WISE members believe that they in turn can be role models for younger women.
Members of the group seek out first-year students with an interest in the sciences and visit Providence middle schools to talk to potential female scientists. Ray Smith plays a gig . . . The Latest . . . WISE women .