The Society of Toxicology (SOT) is pleased to announce the creation of the Celebrating Women in Toxicology Award Endowment Fund, sponsored by the Women in Toxicology Special Interest Group (WIT SIG). Proceeds from this Fund will be used to provide cash stipends to domestic or international students (undergraduate and/or graduate students) and/or postdoctoral fellows, whose studies and/or research interests are in the toxicological sciences. Award recipients will be selected on the basis of scientific merit, leadership, and service.
This award was inspired by the generosity of Ms. Anne Wolven Garrett, one of the early leaders in toxicology. The initial seed money of $8,000.00 is from a generous donation from Ms. Wolven Garrett’s estate. It is anticipated that former colleagues of Ms. Wolven Garrett, as well as members of the WIT SIG and SOT, will make contributions to the Fund.
The Society has many female leaders who have been influential in the science of toxicology and the SOT. Ms. Wolven Garrett was one of the first women active in the Society’s leadership. Beginning in the early 1970s, she served on several elected committees, several appointed committees, as Historian, and as Vice President and President of a Regional Chapter. As noted during her memorial service in 2012, she was especially proud of her work with the Society. She was known for taking budding toxicologists under her wing and ended many conversations with “hug yourself; you are very special.” As a tribute to Ms. Wolven Garrett and all past and future female leaders of SOT, the Celebrating Women in Toxicology Award will recognize and encourage women who are in the early stages of developing a career in the field of toxicology.
It is intended that the total assets of the Celebrating Women in Toxicology Fund will reach $25,000 within three years, at which time the Society will match the funds with an additional $25,000 to qualify it as a Permanently Restricted Net Asset Fund with continuation of the Fund in perpetuity. It is expected that this goal can be accomplished by June 30, 2017, and that the first Award from the Celebrating Women in Toxicology Award Endowment Fund will be made to one or more individuals at the 2018 SOT Annual Meeting. For more information about the Endowment Fund and to provide a donation, please visit the SOT website.