Identifying the Current Status of Women in Entomology, Clarifying Initiatives for Retention, and Speaking out to Share Experience: Summary

摘要

The Women in Entomology Symposium at the 2011 Annual Entomological Society of America (ESA) meeting was a success. With the help of sponsors, we implemented several innovations that increased attendance and the overall impact of the symposium. First and foremost, we worked with the meeting organizers to coordinate the timing of our symposium so that Ms. Christianne Corbett, a research associate at the American Association of University Women and author of "Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics", could attend and so the symposium was closely aligned with her plenary presentation, her lunch and learn, and the Women in Entomology breakfast. Close coordination of all these events helped to increase the impact of each one. To increase attendance at our symposium but also bring attention to the other Women in Entomology events, we created and distributed a flyer that listed all Women in Entomology-related meeting events. We built excitement and interaction during the symposium by giving away five copies of Kim Todd's Chrysalis: Maria Sibylla Merian and the Secrets of Metamorphosis. This book was discussed in Gail Kampmeier's presentation on Great Women in Entomology. Also, we promoted and branded the symposium by distributing stickers and M&Ms with our Women In Entomology logo, created by Rayda Krell. These stickers became a sought-after commodity at the meeting. To promote the free exchange of ideas and encourage networking, we hosted a post-symposium reception with free food and beverages.