A Proud History: Over 100 Years of Service
In 1916, on Ladies Night at the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers (AIME) meeting at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, the women passed the hat for money to assist the fighting men in the trenches of World War I. By 1917, 50 women formed the Woman's Auxiliary to AIME and continued their charitable war efforts. In 2008, WAAIME became a division of SME where they have continued their tradition of providing scholarships and supporting humanitarian causes.
A Passion for Service
The WAAIME objectives, as written by President Mrs. Lou Henry Hoover in her letter to her membership in February 1959, remain:
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To render service to the country and to the community through all that pertains to the interest of the professions of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineering.
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To promote philanthropic work and the interchange of ideas amongst its members.
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To devise and promote ways and means of procuring a fund and to maintain such fund for the purpose of assisting promising students to obtain a technical education in Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineering and their allied subjects.
More than a Division: A Community
The WAAIMEs have continued their philanthropic endeavors throughout the years, including: purchasing books for mining camps, building libraries, awarding scholarships, providing emergency funding for university students, and supporting programs for teacher's education.
WAAIME Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is responsible for nominating and/or receiving nominations from the WAAIME membership to fill vacancies on the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee Past Chair shall preside over the nominations process of selecting a qualified individual or individuals to fill the annually vacated Vice Chair position, and the Scholarship Chair and International Chair positions on a three-year rotating basis.
Local Sections in mining communities in the U.S., Peru, Chile, and Mexico with each section governed by their local officers make up the WAAIME Division of SME. Each section, as well as the parent organization, has several committees, including Scholarship, Membership, Programming, and other special committees.
For more information, email the WAAIME Division Coordinator at WAAIME@smenet.org.
WAAIME Division Annual Event Photos
Many thanks to our generous sponsors!
2025 MINEXCHANGE WAAIME Events Photos:
2024 WAAIME Committee
Susana Palomino, Barbara Filas, Margaret Mansanti, Lydia Hull, Jaqueline Herrera
WAAIME Membership
WAAIME Membership is open to SME members and non-members.
SME Members
- Choose WAAIME as your Primary Division when you join or renew.
- In addition to your technical Division, you may add WAAIME as an Additional Division.
- Contact waaime@smenet.org to add WAAIME as an Additional Division.
SME Non-Members
Join WAAIME at www.waaime.org
Volunteer Questions
Do you have questions about getting involved? Contact volunteer@smenet.org for more information about how you can share your passions with the industry.
WAAIME Division Committees
The Committee shall have oversight of all activities within the WAAIME Division.
| Name | Position | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara A. Filas, PE | Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Margaret Mansanti | Past Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2026 |
| Lydia M. Hull | Scholarship Committee Chair | 03/01/2024 | 02/28/2026 |
| Susana Palomino De Herrera | Representative | 03/01/2023 | 02/28/2026 |
| Jaquelin Herrera | Member | 07/25/2024 | 02/28/2028 |
| Rachel Grimes | SME Staff | 05/31/2024 | 02/28/2030 |
| Name | Position | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lydia M. Hull | Chair | 08/03/2015 | 02/28/2031 |
| Line-Audrey Nkule | Vice Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2031 |
| Pamela Swendseid | Vice Chair | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2031 |
| Margaret Mansanti | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2031 |
| Gill Worsey | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2031 |
| Dr. Elizabeth A. Zbinden | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2031 |
| Ms Blanche Blattner | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2031 |
| Jean O. Davin | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2031 |
| Carol Trutt | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2031 |
| Ms Diane Murray Lightwood | Member | 03/18/2025 | 02/28/2031 |
| Dr. Kelli Mccormick, PhD, CPG | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2031 |
| Rachel Micander | Member | 03/01/2025 | 02/28/2031 |
| Sherry S. Cushman | Member | 08/03/2015 | 02/28/2030 |
| Susan Harwood | Member | 08/03/2015 | 02/28/2031 |
| Elisabeth M. Price | Member | 08/03/2015 | 02/28/2031 |
| Maria Isabel Saavedra | Member | 08/03/2015 | 02/28/2030 |
| Winnell Burt | Member | 08/03/2015 | 02/28/2031 |
| Dixine Hale | Member | 08/03/2015 | 02/28/2030 |
| Karen F. Jass | Member | 05/21/2018 | 02/28/2031 |
| Kitty Konalis | Member | 03/26/2025 | 02/28/2031 |