Mary Ann Holmes, former WGS affiliate faculty and emeritus professor of earth and atmospheric sciences, has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world's largest general scientific society. Dr. Holmes was selected for distinguished contributions to developing and disseminating strategies to address gender inequity in geoscience, and the advancement of science through teaching, administration, research, and service.
Fellows are selected by their peers for scientifically or socially distinguished achievements that advance science or its application. The tradition of electing AAAS fellows dates to 1874. This year's fellows will be formally announced in the Nov. 25 issue of the journal Science. They will be recognized Feb. 18, 2017, at the AAAS annual meeting in Boston. Dr. Holmes is among 391 members who were elected fellows this year.
Dr. Holmes' passion to improve women's science careers led to an international leadership role advancing gender equity in the sciences.
"My year as president of the Association for Women Geoscientists was eye-opening," Holmes said. "I learned that it's not enough to complain about a problem. You have to make a plan and move forward to address the causes."
In the years since, she's done just that, developing and implementing research-driven strategies to broaden women's participation in the sciences. Holmes led several major National Science Foundation-funded projects aimed at reducing barriers to women's success. She also directed ADVANCE-Nebraska, a research program that resulted in doubling the proportion of women hired in STEM fields at Nebraska.
Through an energetic campaign of seminars, workshops and professional committee participation, Holmes brought attention to gender issues in science and helped cultivate the next generation of women scientists.
"Although frustratingly slow, it is at least energizing to see that there are ways forward and that I can be doing something to effect change," she said.
"I'm very proud that AAAS so values this work that moves us toward gender equity."
