Association for Women in Computing facts for kids

The Association for Women in Computing (AWC) is a group for women who work with computers. It was started in 1978 in Washington, D.C.. AWC helps women grow in their computer careers.

What AWC Does

AWC helps women in computing in many ways. It gives them chances to meet other people in their field. This is called networking. They also offer ways to keep learning new skills. This is continuing education. AWC also helps women find mentors. A mentor is someone more experienced who can give advice.

AWC wants to make people aware of issues that affect women in the computer world. They help women grow in their jobs. They also encourage more women to choose careers in computer science. AWC is a national group. It is a non-profit organization. This means it does not aim to make money. Both women and men who are interested in technology can join.

AWC gives out the Ada Lovelace Award. This award honors people who have done great things in computing. It can be for amazing scientific work. It can also be for helping women in the computer community.

AWC's History

AWC began in 1978. It was first called the National Association for Women in Computing. It started as a non-profit group.

The Puget Sound Chapter was one of the first local groups. It started in 1979. Donnafaye Carroll Finger and Diane Haelsig helped create it. They read about the new AWC and wanted a local group. The Twin Cities Chapter also started meeting in December 1979. It became an official chapter in May 1981.

Where AWC Chapters Are

AWC has local groups, called chapters, in different places:

• Montana State University
• New Jersey
• Seattle, Washington
• Twin Cities, Minnesota
• Puget Sound Washington

See also

In Spanish: Asociación de Mujeres en Computación para niños

• ACM-W
• Ada Lovelace Award
• Anita Borg
• Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing
• Women in computing