Promoting Women in Mathematics

Abstract

The eight papers making up this special issue on promoting women in mathematics consider the underrepresentation of women in mathematics and the experiences and observations of authors who are immersed in this work. In this editorial, we identify common themes we see across many of these papers, framing our discussion with the “social identity framework of mathematical development” presented in the first paper. This framework consists of three beliefs conducive to the pursuit of mathematics, and we discuss how the authors address each of these beliefs in their work. We also present data to illustrate that the underrepresentation of women in mathematics continues to be an issue, and we hope the papers in this issue will be informative for others who want to lead gender-based initiatives.

Keywords:

• Women
• underrepresentation
• recruiting
• encouraging
• supporting
• retaining

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We greatly appreciate the contributions of Francesca Bernardi, Semra Kilic-Bahi, and Anila Yadavalli, who co-organized the original special session with us. AWM, JCW, MAA, and Spectra, who were either sponsoring organizations or had committees that sponsored us, helped us advertise the session and the special issue. Thank you also to Silviana Amethyst for her feedback on an early draft, PRIMUS, Matt Boelkins, Editor-in-Chief of PRIMUS, and the reviewers, without whom this special issue would not have been possible.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 We acknowledge that this special issue is focused on women in mathematics in the USA. All of the special issue authors are at US institutions and all but one of the special session speakers were at US institutions.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sarah J. Greenwald

Sarah J. Greenwald is a Professor of Mathematics and faculty affiliate of gender, women's, and sexuality studies. Investigating connections between mathematics and society, Greenwald has been recognized for teaching, scholarship, and service. This includes a Mathematical Association of America Pólya Lecturer Award and a Fellow of the Association for Women in Mathematics. Greenwald was cited for “creative and effective efforts to spark interest in mathematics among young people, especially girls…extensive contributions to advancing women in mathematics through writing, lectures, and working with professional societies…and mentorship of students.” A member of the editorial board of PRIMUS, Greenwald earned a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and a BS from Union College.

Judy Holdener

Judy Holdener is a Professor in the Mathematics and Statistics Department at Kenyon College, where she is continually thinking about ways to make mathematics more welcoming for women and other underrepresented groups. She enjoys incorporating inquiry-based learning, technology, and play into her classroom, and she regularly mentors undergraduate research projects. In 2022, she and three former students won the Trevor Evans for one such research project. Her scholarly interests span number theory, dynamical systems, mathematical art, and mathematics education. Holdener is on the editorial board of PRIMUS as well as the program committee for Bridges: Mathematics, Art, Music, Architecture, Culture. She earned a PhD from the University of Illinois-Urbana and a BS from Kent State University.