UO chemist promotes women in science

UO chemistry professor Geri Richmond is not only at the top of her field as a scientist, she is a leading advocate in efforts to draw women into careers in science, math and engineering. On Dec. 10, she was called to Washington to participate in the White House Council on Women and Girls.

Richmond, who studies the molecular structure of water and other liquid surfaces, was among a group of leaders from several organizations who met to talk strategy at the White House. "It went very well," she told The Oregonian. "It was more of a discussion than a presentation ... It did lead to some follow-up meetings that I personally will be having with White House personnel in the coming months."

Richmond is the co-founder and chair of Committee on the Advancement of Women Chemists (COACh), an organization that develops and provides professional development programs across the country for women in technical fields.

Women working in science, engineering and technology fields -- long dominated by men -- often face unique challenges as they seek career satisfaction and advancement. Women often have fewer resources and tools to help them advance.

In her interview with The Oregonian, for a "Chalk It Up" blog entry, Richmond described a little bit about how COACh works: "We really provide women with a set of professional skills that normally are not taught in the science disciplines. We teach them how to be effective in leading a group, how to negotiate for a better salary, how to negotiate for first authorship on a paper, how to teach large classes and how to lead change in an organization."

On Oct. 1 in Portland, Ore., Richmond led a presentation called "Breaking through the Plexiglass Ceiling" -- a networking and career building event for women in technically oriented fields.

Richmond has been honored for her efforts to promote women in science by the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Engineering Mentoring (1997), the American Chemical Society Award for Encouraging Women in the Chemical Sciences (2005) and the Council on Chemical Research Diversity Award (2006).