2008 WCC ChemLuminary Awards

The 10th annual ChemLuminary Awards ceremony honoring ACS volunteers was held at the ACS National Meeting in Philadelphia with a “Sounds of Philadelphia” theme. These awards recognize participants in ACS local sections and divisions whose efforts have helped to achieve excellence. Local sections nominated their Women Chemist Committee (WCC) groups for these awards and the winners are chosen by the Local Section and Regional Outreach Subcommittee. The WCC was proud to present three awards.

Finalists for the Outstanding Outreach to Girls and Young Women Award were the Georgia, Nashville, and Richland Local Sections. The winner was the Nashville Local Section, which participated in several events this year concentrating on outreach to girls and young women. The first was an invited visit to Eastman Chemicals where women chemists and engineers held a panel discussion to talk about their career paths in chemistry. The WCC also participated in the 11th Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics Conference at Middle Tennessee State University by presenting several chemistry workshops. Finally, the Nashville WCC was invited to be a part of the new Girls Raised in Tennessee Science (GRITS) program directed by Judith Iriarte-Gross, which "advances the knowledge and understanding of STEM education and opportunities for middle and high school girls throughout Tennessee”.

Finalists for the Outstanding Overall Local Section Women Chemists Committee Award were the Michigan State University, Nashville, and Richland Local Sections. The winner was the Michigan State University Local Section, which organized multiple events this year including four Meet the Speaker events and numerous outreach activities.  They provided badge activities for both Girl and Boy Scouts; participated in the Girls Math/Science Conference held at a local high school; designed and monitored the Chemistry Laboratory event for the Michigan Science Olympiad held at Michigan State University; presented three hands-on demonstrations at Chemistry Day held at a local museum; and, participated in the American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Walk.

Finalists for the Outstanding Single Event in a Local Section Promoting Women in the Chemical Sciences Award were the Georgia, Indiana, and Nashville Local Sections. The winner was the Indiana Local Section, which marked the national WCC 80th anniversary milestone with a networking and recognition brunch at the Indiana Historical Society. As part of this event, the WCC selected seven “women in the lead” to receive a framed Outstanding Achievement Award in Chemistry certificate. These scientists and educators are doing great things for the chemistry profession and each has demonstrated dedication, scientific excellence, and leadership in different ways.

Details on all the programs presented by the finalists are available on the WCC website, along with information about past award winners: http://membership.acs.org/w/wcc/.

Outstanding Overall Local Section Women Chemists Committee Award

Outstanding Outreach to Girls and Young Women Award

Outstanding Single Event in a Local Section Promoting Women in the Chemical Sciences Award

Photos courtesy of Linda Wang