Category: Women in Mathematics

On 12 May the SAMS Women in Mathematics (WiM) Division of the South African Mathematical Society held a May 12 event as part of the 180 worldwide events to celebrate women in mathematics. The events serve as a commemoration of the life and work of Maryam Mirzakhani, the first woman to be awarded a Fields Medal in 2014. The event was hosted by the Stellenbosch University Mathematics Division and included students from UCT, SU, AIMS and UWC. Jillian Reilly spoke about giving ourselves permission to stand out and employ our skills and agency in the environments we are in. The event was live-streamed from the Neelsie Cinema to satellite events at WITS (including UP and UJ), University of KwaZulu Natal, Rhodes University and Sol Plaatje University. 

Thanks to Prof Sibusiso Moyo and Prof Ingrid Rewitzky (Stellenbosch University) for their support of the event and their role in mentoring the next generation of women in mathematics. 

We are grateful for funding and support from the DSTI-NRF CoE-MaSS, the Stellenbosch University Mathematics Division and the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences that made the event possible.

May 12 – Celebrating Women in Mathematics

Join the South African Mathematical Society’s “Women in Mathematics” Division for a celebration featuring a professional development seminar by author Gillian Reilly (abstract below):  

Permission to Stand Out

For so many women – particularly young female professionals – standing out requires so. much. permission.

Female professionals can be exceptionally capable and productive, but they’re not “supposed to” garner attention, assert authority or demand recognition. They’re groomed for quiet achievement. Not visible authority. Which holds women back, keeps them small, burns them out.

In this talk I’ll explore how women can avoid playing small– one self-permission at a time. Using my trademark Ten Permissions, we’ll look at how women can identify their ambitions and desires, embrace challenges and risks, and back their value and authority. How they can design unique career paths rather than defaulting to the narrow, conventional paths that often constrain their growth and impact.

In a world where women have long been told to “Lean In”, I believe it’s now time for women to give themselves permission to stand out. To back themselves as the stand out leaders for the 21st century.

Venues

Attend at one of the following venues:

• Neelsie Cinema, Stellenbosch University
• University of the Witwatersrand
• University of KwaZulu-Natal
• Rhodes University
• Sol Plaatje University
• Online

Attendance is limited and on a first come, first served

basis. Light snacks will be served at physical venues.

Please register here

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-2EQhjxvdWVnqBN7dJaZ3gh6Vf4g7TuGJynpbgF_RABatsw/viewform

Poster
2025-05-12 NITheCS & SU Mathematics Division

Dear Colleagues,

The Women in Mathematics Division (WiM) will be hosting a Research Connect Event as part of the SAMS Congress, on 5 December, 17:00-18:30. 

Attached, please find the invitation including the link to register. The aim of the event is to showcase and connect women mathematicians in research.

The WiM Division

Dear Colleagues,

The SAMS WiM Division invites you to a Research Connect Event on 5 December, aimed at linking women mathematicians in research.

Attached please find a poster with more information. Attendance is limited to 40 participants. 

We hope to see you there!
The SAMS WiM Division

In connection with the May 12th events which celebrates women in mathematics on the birth date of Maryam Mirzakhani, the South African Mathematical Society’s Women in Mathematics (WiM) Division is proud to host Professor Kerstin Jordaan who will present a talk, “Nuggets of Wisdom” – tips for your CV and applications. The talk is scheduled to take place on Friday, 10 May from 13:00 to 14:00. For more details, please see the official invitation: 12May24_WiMInvitation

Please take note of the following save the date for a talk by Professor Karin-Therese Howell on Empowering Women in Mathematics: A journey of mentorship and leadership. The talk is scheduled to take place on Friday, 19 April from 12 to 1 pm. For more details, please see the official advertisement:
Empowering Women in Mathematics

The SAMS WiM Division is very proud to share the following interview with Prof Eunice Mphako-Banda on Womanity Africa. We applaud Prof Mphako-Banda for all she has done and continues to do to support women in mathematics.

https://womanity.africa/2024/03/28/prof-eunice-mphako-banda-school-of-mathematics-university-of-witwatersrand-breaking-gender-stereotypes/

The past year was one of firsts for the WiM division.

The first historic meeting of the Women in Maths (WiM Division) took place virtually on the 18th of August 2023. Present were the first committee members, Prof Karin-Therese Howell (convenor), Dr Thama Duba, Dr Belinda Huntley, Dr Linke Potgieter, Prof Eunice Mphako-Banda, Prof Paran Pillay and Dr Cerene Rathilal. During subsequent meetings and discussions, the committee drafted a constitution and set goals for the Division.

The WiM Division hosted its first event, a networking lunch at the SAMS Congress in December 2023. Prof Eunice Mphaka-Banda opened the event and the SAMS Council President, Prof Zurab Janelidze, welcomed everyone present. Prof Mphaka-Banda emphasised in her speech that the focus for the Division should be to function as a team. In her words, “A team is not a group of people who work together, a team is a group of people who trust each other. As a division, our successful journey will begin the moment we realize that we do not have to prove anything to anyone, but we build trust and have honest discussions among ourselves, the moment we realize that our potential means nothing without taking action and the moment we start building a strong support system among members. We need to learn or relearn to cheer for each other in any small victories. Do not think that you are too small to make a difference or to be noticed in WiM. Be a mosquito! Make the noise!”