"One of the main goals of the coalition is to unite the voices of women in SETT across the country," says Susan Best, past president of CCWESTT.  Established in 1987 CCWESTT currently represents more than 20,000 individuals through 25 organizations whose mandates and interests are to promote gender equity in science, engineering, trades and technology."

History

    Following a Toronto-based conference in 1992, the Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology (CCWESTT) began as a coalition of member organizations seeking to attain full participation by women in education, employment and innovation based on fundamental and applied science.  Prior to that the organization, initially established in 1987, was called the Canadian Conference of Women in Engineering, Science and Technology.  This organization held five previous engineering and science conferences, across Canada, hosted by local chapters of Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) and the Canadian Association of Women in Science (CAWIS).  After the 5th conference, in 1992, momentum built to establish a consortium of the many groups in Canada sharing similar goals.
    In 1992 the plans for a national coalition began in the offices of The Women Inventors Project, the only member group to have an office.  The initial member societies were: Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG), Alberta Women’s Science Network (AWES), Canadian Association for Women in Science (CAWIS), Division for the Advancement of Women in Engineering and Geoscience (DAWEG), Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST), Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) and, Women Inventors Project (WIP).  It is a credit to the many volunteer hours dedicated by many Canadian women that CCWESTT has grown to approximately 25 groups in 2008.
    The original goals of CCWESTT continue to be a driving force for the organization.  Early documents show that these included, communication to share success stories, to disseminate information, provide consultation on pertinent policy issues and coordinate conferences to promote advancement of CCWESTT goals.
    Industry Canada was an early supporter of CCWESTT.  Long before the Internet was as prevalent a tool for communication, CCWESTT recognized the power of the new technology.  In 1993, a Listserve and gopher was launched with funding from Industry Canada.  This served as a vital link for groups from across the vast expanses of Canada.  Monthly conference calls were funded by Industry Canada for many years.  This assistance went a long way to assisting CCWESTT to form a strong communication link between member organizations.
    Administrative assistance was and continues to be provided by Fletcher Wright Associates based in Mississauga, Ontario.  Leadership of CCWESTT has changed over the years, with Presidents Susan Best, from Ontario, Margaret-Ann Armour from Alberta, Hiromi Matsui from British Columbia, Lisa Carter from Alberta, Helen Francis from Ontario, Joy Brown from Alberta and Judy Myers from British Columbia.
    The national, biannual conferences that are an integral part of CCWESTT have been held in Vancouver, Fredericton, St. John’s, Calgary, Ottawa, St. Catharines, and this year Guelph. Proceedings for the last two conferences are available at www.CCWESTT.org.  Currently the WinSETT project of CCWESTT, supported by NSERC and Status of Women Canada is being developed to create a more permanent and active model to achieve the goals of CCWESTT by increasing the hiring, retention and improving the work environments of women in SETT. 

Susan Best
Founding President and Secretary CCWESTT