Empowering the future

International Women’s Day is March 8

March 5, 2025

It’s more than just symbolic that the Detroit Regional Chamber’s 2025 International Women’s Day celebration focuses on the theme of #AccelerateAction.

Michigan women have been at the heart of accelerating action for more than 100 years.

It’s real—taking place right now.

But first, let’s go back to the beginning.

In 1919, two University of Colorado students were working to launch the American Society of Women Engineers and Architects. In support of their effort, they conducted a survey of U.S. colleges of engineering to learn about female student enrolment.

At the time, few universities or colleges admitted women, so most of the responses were bleak—other than a letter from Helen Smith, a student at the University of Michigan.

Smith’s letter shared that students at the University of Michigan recognized in 1914 an absence of associations for women, so they formed the T-Square Society. It was the first society organized to support female students in engineering and architecture.

“The women students in Engineering and Architecture at the University of Michigan are pleased to hear from women studying the same things in Colorado,” read the letter.

With 14 charter members, one alumna resident member, and two honorary members, the T-Square Society had a modest beginning; however, the organization helped lay foundation for the 1950 formation of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).

Today, SWE has more than 400 collegiate and professional sections and 40 affiliates across the United States.

With 50 student leaders and more than 300 general members, the University of Michigan's SWE is one of the largest student organizations on campus.

“As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it is important to recognize the critical support systems formed to help facilitate women’s entry into engineering,” said Kirstie Staelens, Enbridge senior advisor, community engagement for the Great Lakes Region.

“Today, we have a vast suite of collaborative programs to support STEM-based opportunities in Michigan and across the globe.”

 

“I am proud to work at a company that supports the professional growth of women. It’s important that we all keep moving forward.”

—Kirstie Staelens, Enbridge senior advisor of community engagement in Michigan

FEMINEN, an Enbridge employee resource group, focuses on the attraction, engagement and retention of female engineers and technologists. Meanwhile, Enbridge’s Follow Me in the Field video series showcases Enbridge female employees in operational roles.

“Enbridge is at the forefront of innovation and inspiration,” continued Staelens.

“We are proud to cultivate an environment that focuses on engaging and retaining a highly qualified workforce in which women have an integral role.”

Staelens was among those attending the Detroit Regional Chamber’s March 4 annual International Women’s Day lunch.

Exploring various facets of women’s health and wellness, attendees also had access to wellness hubs, which included an Enbridge-sponsored “make-and-take” flower bouquet station with Michigan-based Mia’s Flower Truck, Metro Detroit's first flower truck.