As the holidays surge towards us, SWEP Three Rivers board members are considering how far we’ve come this past year.   A little less than one year ago, we held our first meeting to outline an organization we felt was missing from the environmental field within the Three Rivers region.  Specifically, an organization that supports women contributing to the environmental field from all professions, including engineers, biologists, geologists, attorneys and communicators; one that highlights women’s leadership and professional accomplishments; one that provides a forum for ideas; and ultimately, an organization that will provide a platform for thought leaders and an information resource. 

Clearly, we were not alone. At every step of the way, talented professional women joined SWEP and moved the effort forward.  In September, we hosted SWEP Three Rivers' first event in our “Conversation with” series.  We could not have made a better start!  Arletta Scott Williams, Executive Director of ALCOSAN, was truly inspirational.  On December 5th, we followed with a joint happy hour between the Three Rivers, Philadelphia, Capital (central Pennsylvania), New Jersey, and West Virginia chapters at the National Brownfield Conference hosted in Pittsburgh.

Thank you to all those who have expressed interest in volunteering to help with the leadership of the organization.  We will host our first committee meetings in the new year and are excited to work with you. 

We continue to work towards becoming the organization imagined nearly a year ago.  But for this week, we are reflecting on how far we’ve come and the friends we have made along the way. We are sincerely grateful for the women who have joined SWEP to create the Three Rivers chapter, and the corporate sponsors and corporate members who supported our efforts in 2017.

Happy Holidays and wishing you all a wonderful 2018!

Heather Tahon & Helen Humphreys

SWEP Three Rivers Co-Chairs