The
History of Women In Mining USA
Supporting women in the mining industry since 1972
2005 - 2010
Student Growth & Expanding Partnerships
The DC Chapter hosted an annual conference which was held in St. Louis to be in conjunction with the SME annual meeting, where we were given a exhibit booth.Â
In a subsequent year, for the first time, a Student Chapter (Missouri University of Science & Technology) hosted an annual conference.Â
DSA recipients during this period were Joyce Pulliam-Fitzgerald, Susan Yadon, and Christine Johnston of Denver and Stephen Tibbals.Â
2002 - 2005
Expansion, Contraction & More Firsts
Cross-training with Education Foundation is established, and Karen Jass becomes the first three-term National President.Â
For the first time, representatives from our first Student Chapter at Missouri-Rolla attended the annual conference, and a new Student Chapter was established at Virginia Tech.
The Ohio Chapter voted to dissolve due to mergers and downsizing of partners.
Dinah Shumway, Karen Jass, Â Sally McLeod, and Sharon Kirts received the DSA during this period.
1999 - 2002
More Recognition & Awards
We toured the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, and joined their Wall of Honors Logo Program.
Battle Mountain and Winnemucca Chapters were awarded the BLM Solid Minerals Education Award.
DSA recipients during this period were Scotty Norman, Maureen Lennon, Vikki Michalski.
1996 - 1999
Contributions, Recognition & Growth
WIM National contributed a substantial donation to the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of Natural History to help fund renovation of the Janet Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals.
WIM is presented with the Gary Prazen Award by the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum.Â
Underground tours were incorporated to the annual conference for the first time.
The first WIM USA website was developed by Phyllis Lyday with the help of the National Mining Association.
Jackie Dorr, Phyllis Lyday, Betty Valley, General Richard Lawson, Melissa Willard, and Suzan Hanel received the DSA during this period.
1992 - 1996
Education Foundation Established
Resulting from the work of Linda Baggott, Jackie Dorr, Arloa Woolford, and Debbie Schumacher, the WIM USA Education Foundation was established and became official.Â
The California Chapter was re-activated, while the St. Louis Chapter was dissolved.
DSA recipients in this period were Debbie Schumacher, Linda Baggott and Robert Shanks, Carol Sheppard and Arloa Woolford.
1989 - 1992
Annual Meeting Becomes Open to All
A vote was passed to allow all members to participate in the annual meeting at the 10th Anniversary meeting in Ohio, the California Chapter was ratified, and the Hall of Fame Award was changed to the Distinguished Service Award (DSA).
Recipients of the DSA during this period were Susan Wingfield, Pat Kemper, Barbara Pike and Shirley Evans.Â
The Education Committee enjoyed a huge success with their booth at the National Science Teachers Regional Convention to be held in December in Reno, NV.Â
1988 - 1989
Expansion & More Firsts
Ohio Chapter was established. Two members, Ruth Miller and Betty McCann received the Hall of Fame Award.
For the first time, a WIM President traveled to each chapter during the year to attend in some of their functions.
1986 - 1988
Chapter Additions & Men are welcomed
The annual meeting was held in DC, offering members a view of mining from the government side of things, and membership voted to allow chapters to allow men to be regular members.
Winnemucca and Chicago chapters were established and Debbie Schumacher was given the Hall of Fame Award.
1982 - 1985
More Chapters & First Annual Meeting
The first national meeting was held in Denver, Co with the new board headed by the newly elected Denver Chapter President, Cheryl Olsen.
New chapters continued forming, including Kentuckianio, DC, and Arizona. Also, the WIM National Hall of Fame was born with Maxine Stewart being the first inductee.Â
1981 - 1982
National Structure Formed
The 1981-82 year opened with Ruth Foster taking the helm, and with the help of the other board members formed what is WIM USA today. The first year was spent drawing up the objectives of the organization pulling ideas from the 5 original Chapters: Battle Mountain, Denver, Greenwich, St. Louis and Tucson as to what they wanted National to be and do for them.
1979 - 1981
National Structure Formed
It became obvious that a national structure would be necessary for orderly, consistent growth and the committee began compiling legal information and examples of other organizational structures. Our initial bylaws and policies were drafted.Â
Our first National Board Meeting was held in St. Louis, MO in 1981 and our first national officers and committee chairs were elected.
1974 - 1979
Our First Chapters
In 1974 a Tucson chapter of WOMEN IN MINING was spearheaded by former Denver Chapter member, Virginia Moyer. By early 1978 the need became apparent for a vehicle to facilitate new chapter formation and to coordinate information among them; in May the Denver Chapter created an Organization and Extension Committee. A chapter was organized later that year in St. Louis, Missouri, followed in 1979 by Battle Mountain, Nevada.
1972
WOMEN IN MINING was founded
WOMEN IN MINING was founded in Denver, Colorado, in 1972 when three women contacted mining companies, and other related firms, to ascertain interest in developing an organization to provide education about the industry.Â