How do you revive a dormant chapter of a national organization? The Boston chapter of the Association of Women in Science (AWIS) had some unintentional help. A now-infamous speech last year by Harvard University president Larry Summers, calling women's scientific capabilities into question, brought in many new members.

AWIS was founded in 1971, dedicated to promoting women's full participation in all scientific fields through education, mentoring and job opportunities. AWIS also serves as a political voice for women in science, through testimonies on Capitol Hill and participation in a number of coalitions.

Membership of the local chapter MASS AWIS has risen above 80 individuals (including men), whose fields of interest span a broad range, including patent law, academic science, industrial science, engineering and education. In addition, our members range from undergraduates to retired scientists and are at various companies, hospitals, academic institutions and institutes. This diverse network, dedicated to ensuring a role for women in all scientific arenas, bridges the inter-institutional gaps and will provide role models for girls and women at all stages of their scientific careers. AWIS has the potential to play a key role in promoting the advancement of women.

We are currently trying to organize a series of leadership workshops for undergraduates, graduates and postdocs that will target 'soft' skills, such as communication, leadership and interviewing. Although necessary to succeed in any career, these are not usually introduced in academic courses. MASS AWIS will also be establishing programmes and organizing mentors/volunteers to introduce the excitement of scientific discovery to school-age girls. Every chapter event serves as a valuable networking and mentoring resource for our members and guests. Finally, we are actively trying to build a scholarship fund to help disadvantaged women pursue their scientific dreams.

Besides spurring MASS AWIS membership, Summers provided a clear example of the continuing need for institutional change as well as ongoing education on gender equality. We all thought the effort to gain equality in scientific education and careers was well on its way, but this event and the statistics show that we are not yet at the top of the hill. Join an AWIS chapter and keep climbing with us.