History of Tau Chapter (taken from the GWIS 85-year history)
Tau Chapter originally started in 1959 as the Southern California chapter of GWIS with members in San Diego and Los Angeles. Business meetings alternated between the two locations until 1970, when it was split into two chapters: the Los Angeles half became Lambda Chapter and the San Diego half became Tau Chapter.
Tau Chapter is composed of a diverse membership with students and faculty from University of California San Diego, University of San Diego, San Diego State University, California State University San Marcos, employees of the numerous biotech companies in the area, city and county governmental organizations as well as many retired members. Tau Chapter continues to reach out to women scientists at all phases of their careers. The continuing vitality of Tau is probably due to the dedication and strong friendships that have developed among members. Currently membership consists of a healthy mixture of those who are retired, those who are in the midst of demanding professional lives, and those who are just beginning their careers.
Tau Chapter offers a variety of events and activities for its membership during the academic year. In years past, the fall kick off activity has been an informal picnic at the beach or for several years the gathering was held at the home of the then President of USD Dr. Alice Hayes. A holiday reception was usually held in December, frequently with musical entertainment, and in the spring a formal luncheon was held to end the activities for the year. In between these events, various seminars or informational tours were held to provide support and networking opportunities for the members.
In the early 1990’s Tau Chapter began an Outstanding Woman Science Teacher competition. The winning teacher was honored each year at the spring banquet and was presented a plaque and a monetary donation to her school for science supplies. Tau Chapter joined the San Diego Science Alliance, a non-profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to supporting science literacy and education through a network of businesses, educators, and scientists. Through this affiliation, Tau became a founding partner in a group called Be WiSE (Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering). The goal of Be WiSE is to encourage greater participation in science by school-age girls.
Tau Chapter hosted the SDE-GWIS National Meeting in 1989, 1997 and 2005. All were very successful and had an excellent science program drawing from the many scientists in the San Diego area, both from institutions of higher learner as well as the many biotech and pharmaceutical companies in the area.
GWIS National Officers from Tau Chapter
- 1965, 1977-82 Mabel Myers, Board of Director
- 1969-73 Mabel Myers, Secretary
- 1980 Marie Conklin, Vice-President
- 1981 Marie Conklin, President-Elect
- 1982 Marie Conklin, President
- 1984-89 Marie Conklin, Board of Directors
- 1987 Patricia Shaffer, Vice President
- 1988 Patricia Shaffer, President-Elect
- 1989 Patricia Shaffer, President
- 1991 Sheri Cole, Vice President
- 1992 Sheri Cole, President-Elect
- 1993 Sheri Cole, President
- 1993-97 Doris Brown, Secretary
- 1995-2000 Sheri Cole, Board of Directors
- 1998-2002 Doris Brown, Treasurer
- 2000 Kathy Grako, Vice President
- 2001 Kathy Grako, President-Elect
- 2002 Kathy Grako, President
- 2002 Amber Bradley, Vice President
- 2002 Diane Tulipani, Secretary
- 2003 Amber Bradley, President-Elect
- 2004 Amber Bradley, President
- 2004-2010 Kathy Grako, Board of Directors
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