Established at Cornell University

1921

The first meeting was held on the evening of May 5, 1921, by a group of women at Cornell University interested in the status of women in scientific fields. Mrs. Adele Lewis Grant was chosen as the temporary chair and later appointed as the first president. 

The constitution and bylaws were approved on May 24, 1921, and formally named the SIGMA DELTA EPSILON  GRADUATE WOMEN’S SCIENTIFIC FRATERNITY (SDE)

Adel Lewis Grant, Founder 

1922 - 1926

In March, the National Constitution was voted upon and unanimously accepted. The Wisconsin petition for a charter was approved, and the Wisconsin Club was admitted to SDE as the Beta Chapter.

FIRST NATIONAL CONVENTION

The First National Convention was held on April 20, 1922  

SDE STARTS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE

In December 1922, SDE met with the American Association 

for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Boston. Affiliate was granted in 1939.

FIRST HONORARY MEMBERSHIP AWARDED

Florence R. Sabin was awarded the first Honorary Membership.

First meeting of SDE Beta Chapter, 1922

Florence Sabin, the first woman to hold a full professorship at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

1926-1941

First special fund established by the transfer of $100 from the General SDE fund. Fundraising for the first fellowships began. 

The formal Fellowships Fund was established in 1931 and awarded in 1941 at the 20th Anniversary meeting.

1935

Sigma Delta Epsilon News, Volume 1, Number 1, first published in 1935. In 1977, the SDE Semi-annual newsletter was replaced by four yearly issues of the SDE Graduate Women in Science Bulletin.

First Board of Directors selected

1948

• Lela V. Barton (5-yr. term 1948–1952,  Kappa)
• Mary L. Willard (4-yr. term 1948–1951, Nu)
• Hettie M. Chute (3-yr. term 1948–1950, Kappa)
• Hoylande Young (2-yr. term 1948–1949, Eta)
• Stella M. Hague (1-yr. term 1948, Gamma)

1948 - 1957

 Partnered with the United Nations (UN) Educational and Science Organization symbolizing the beginning of international representation. In September 1995, non-governmental organization (NGO) status was given in order to participate in the 4th World Conference on Women. In April 2013, the Iota Nu Chapter was formed to better serve our growinginternational cohort.

Organization Goals Refined

1964

• encouraging high school girls to enter scientific fields 
• orient incoming women graduate students to graduate work 
• help married women in science to continue their studies or hold jobs and still maintain a home and family 
• promote friendships among women in the various fields of science 
• support or sponsor programs enabling women to return to graduate school or to work when family responsibilities lessen 
• ascertain the specific problems of women in science and study ways to meet their needs

1969

1970

Established to recognize members who had given outstanding and devoted service to Sigma Delta Epsilon at the National level. First award given to Agnes Hansen in June 1971, longtime National Secretary.

FIRST INDIVIDUAL FELLOWSHIP FUND ESTABLISHED

On November 9, 1970 Eloise Gerry, a founding member of the Beta Chapter, passes away. Her estate was used to set up the Eloise Gerry Fellowships Fund, the first of the SDE fellowships funded by a single individual.The first Eloise Gerry fellowship award given to Rhoda E. Craig in 1975. This award was renamed in 1979 as the SDEAwards.

Dr. Eloise Gerry, Specialists in forest products research.

Big Changes to Organization Structure

In December, the Certificate of Incorporation was amended to change our name to “Sigma Delta Epsilon Graduate Women in Science”.  New Bylaws were written and passed by the Grand Chapter. SDE/GWIS was also granted 501(c)(3) non-profit status.

NATIONAL OFFICE ESTABLISHED - 1976

FIRST HONORARY MEMBER FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE EDUCATION AWARDED - 1989

First award given to Jean E Simmons

RUTH DICKIE SPECIAL PROJECTS FUND ESTABLISHED - 1993

Ruth Dickie, passes away in December leaving half of her estate to

Beta Chapter;  half to national SDE/GWIS and was used to set up the Ruth Dickie Special Projects Fund.

FIRST HARTLEY CORPORATION FELLOWSHIP AWARDED - 1998

Using a grant received from the Hartley Corporation, the first Hartley Corporation Fellowship was awarded.

Ruth Dickie, Professor Emeritus at the UW-Madison

2002- 2015

From funds donated by Nell Mondy, a fellowship in her honor was awarded. Nell I. Mondy passes away in 2005, leaving her estate to be used to continue funding fellowships.

FIRST SDE/GWIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dee McManus served as the first Executive Director from March 2008 to August 2015

Dr. Nell Mondy, Biochemist

2016