Mission

WIS PDX provides connection, community, and career development in an interdisciplinary forum. Together, we advocate to empower and advance women in science.

We are a 501(c)(3) organization that is 100% volunteer run and supported entirely community and sponsor donations. Aside from honorariums offered to speakers and panelists, no one is paid for their time contributions to WIS PDX.

WIS PDX Values

We represent and advocate for anyone identifying as a marginalized gender, including but not limited to any woman, non-binary, and gender fluid individual, who works, studies, or aspires to be in a science-related field.

We provide a safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of race, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), country of origin, or technology choices.

We create programming that is focused on professional and personal development, cross-career mentoring, networking, community building, and outreach and education.

We offer support and real-life guidance for navigating a healthy scientific career path that allows individuals to thrive by providing a platform for members to learn from one another’s experiences.

We empower younger generations and provide role models to increase visibility of women and other marginalized genders in STEM-related fields.

We expect event participants and partners to be respectful to our community, follow our code of conduct (below), and honor the time and effort of women and other marginalized genders.

Code of Conduct

Purpose

Women in Science Portland is committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices.

Expected Behavior

The following behaviors are expected and requested of all community members:

  • Women in Science Portland provides unique professional experiences — we are all here to learn from each other and expect participants to show up ready to engage.

  • Participate in an authentic and active way. 

  • Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.

  • Attempt collaboration before conflict.

  • Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.

  • Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert community leaders if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of this Code of Conduct.

  • Remember that community event venues may be shared with members of the public; please be respectful to all patrons of these locations.

Unacceptable Behavior

We do not tolerate harassment in any form. The following behaviors are considered harassment and are unacceptable within our community:

  • Violence, threats of violence, depictions of violence, or violent communication directed against another person or a group of people.

  • Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or otherwise discriminatory jokes and language.

  • Posting or displaying sexually explicit or violent material.

  • Posting or threatening to post other people’s personally identifying information (“doxing”).

  • Personal insults, particularly those related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability.

  • Inappropriate photography or recording

  • Unwelcome sexual attention. This includes, sexualized comments or jokes; inappropriate touching, groping, and sexual advances.

  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking or following (online or in person).

  • Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.

  • Disruption of community events, including talks and presentations.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

Unacceptable behavior from any community member, including sponsors and those with decision-making authority, will not be tolerated. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately and without protest. If a community member engages in unacceptable behavior, the community organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including a temporary ban or permanent expulsion from the community without warning (and without refund in the case of a paid event).

Updated September 2020

Organization History

WIS Portland began in the fall of 2012 as a group of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) who were motivated by a mutual cause – to create better career training and mentoring opportunities specifically designed for women at our academic biomedical research institution. 

Our first goal was to remedy the lack of information or formal policy for graduate students’ parental leave. With strong support from our faculty mentor and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, Dr. Allison Fryer, a formal policy was passed by Graduate Council in the spring of 2013 that describes academic adjustments so that parents can focus on their family for 8 weeks following the birth or adoption of a child. This policy applies to all men and women in OHSU School of Medicine graduate programs.

Feeding off of the energy from this early accomplishment, our group has continued to develop well-attended programming and build relationships with scientists and science lovers throughout the Portland area. We offer programming related to career development, networking, outreach, and advocacy, all with the goal of engaging and strengthening women in STEM professions.