At the Fall 2019 ACS National Meeting and Exposition, the Women Chemists Committee sponsored our “Just Cocktails” networking event at the Hilton San Diego, Bayfront. The gathering gave women chemists the space to make connections and renew acquaintances, but also to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the WCC/Eli Lilly Travel Awards. This long-lasting and remarkable program has helped the WCC with its mission “to attract, retain, develop, promote, and advocate for women to positively impact diversity, equity and inclusion in the Society and the profession.” Since its inception in 1989, the generous support Eli Lilly has provided funding for the WCC to select outstanding women chemists (postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate) with the opportunity to travel and present their research.
We were honored to have many special guests at the event. Dr. Chris Bodurow, who worked with former WCC Chair, Professor Margaret Cavanaugh with a grant from Eli Lilly and Company of $2,000 to establish the program attended. Dr. Devon Thompson, Senior Director, Discovery Chemistry Research & Technologies at Eli Lilly and Company addressed the attendees, and we were also pleased see many former WCC/Eli Lilly Travel Award winners and WCC members.