How to Get Involved in the Society for the Psychology of Women (SPW)

SPW welcomes new members interested in women's issues. There are many ways to get involved. Join a task force or committee to promote a feminist agenda, participate in meaningful dialogue as a member of a dynamic and diverse division, and/or become involved in the leadership of the division. SPW welcomes all voices. We are actively recruiting early career psychologists, women of color and women interested in feminist leadership and collaboration. Check out the Div. 35 Executive Committee organizational roster for contact information for the section officers, student representative, committee chairs and task force chairs.

Become a Mentor

SPW offers an ongoing Mentor Match Program. At this point, we are no longer accepting applications. We hope that you will consider participating in the future when the application process is open. When the applications are reopened, all Div. 35 members are eligible to submit applications to become a feminist mentor and/or to request feminist mentoring.

If you have questions, please contact:

Monica Ellis-Blied, PhD
Martha Bergen, PhD
Co-Chairs, SPW Mentor Match Program Task Force

Committees

SPW includes many active committees exploring a range of issues related to the psychology of women. Check the Div. 35 Executive Committee organizational roster to determine who to contact to become involved with a committee related to your interests or contact the current president about creating a new committee. 

Task Forces

SPW also includes many task forces exploring specialized issues facing women and to help advance the efforts of the division. 

Descriptions of these task forces and other presidential task forces can be found on the website. Feel free to contact the task force chair indicated on the Div. 35 Executive Committee organizational roster based on your interests.

Sections

SPW has five different sections in which members can become involved based on their interest, including

• Section I: The Psychology of Black Women
• Section III: Concerns of Hispanic Women/Latinas
• Section IV: Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns
• Section V: Psychology of Asian Pacific American Women
• Section VI: Alaska Native/American Indian/Indigenous Women.

Graduate Students

SPW offers graduate students unique ways to become involved in the division. In addition to the committees, task forces, and sections previously described, graduate students have the opportunity to gain leadership roles in the division. Graduate students can apply to be campus representatives for the division on their respective institutions during their graduate career to gain experience implementing feminist projects that promote Div. 35 and feminist/womanist psychology. Graduate students interested in future leadership in Div. 35 also have the opportunity to apply for the position of Graduate Student Representative to receive mentoring and support in this pursuit. Check out the website to learn more about these opportunities.

Please contact BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, PhD, 2015-16 president, if you are interested in becoming more involved in Society for the Psychology of Women activities. Let her know your interests, expertise and availability, and she will put you in touch with the task force and/or committee chairs who are the best match.