ICWES-I, Setting the Stage: ICWES-I, New York City, USA, June 15–21, 1964

This chapter is devoted to the first International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists, held in New York City in June 1964. ICWES-I was hosted by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), established in 1950. Beatrice A. Hicks was the director of the conference. The ICWES-I Conference attracted women from many parts of the world, including the USSR, Australia, and Afghanistan, but most participants came from the host country. The main conference theme was “Focus for the Future; Developing Engineering and Scientific Talent.” Its aim was to encourage women to consider opportunities in engineering and science, with a focus on developing talent for the future. The organizers, who were concerned by the rapid increase of 2% per year in the earth population, identified water, clothing, shelter, and food, as well as transport and energy supply, as priorities to meet human needs. Testimonials from various participants reported on the conference’s diversity and cheerful climate. It appears that the conference’s main impact was the recognition of the inadequate supply of trained personnel to implement future world needs, and the role that women could play as educators, engineers, and scientists. It should be noted as well that many members of SWE eventually became involved in the larger women’s movement and the increasing struggle for equal rights.