Women and Mathematics

Women and Mathematics, formally the Association femmes et mathématiques, is a French voluntary association focused on increasing the participation and visibility of women in mathematics and related scientific fields. Founded in 1987, it brings together mathematicians, mathematics teachers, university academics, sociologists, philosophers, historians, and other people concerned with the position of women in scientific education and research. The organization is based at the Maison des Mathématiciens within the Institut Henri Poincaré in Paris and operates primarily in France. The association addresses gender inequality across the mathematical pipeline, from school education and career orientation to university study, academic research, and professional advancement. Its work combines advocacy, public discussion, networking, educational activity, and the dissemination of information about women mathematicians. A central objective is to encourage girls and young women to consider mathematics and other scientific disciplines as fields in which they can study and build careers. It also seeks to challenge stereotypes about mathematics, scientific ability, and the social roles traditionally associated with technical subjects. Women and Mathematics provides opportunities for communication among mathematicians and organizes conferences, meetings, and assemblies. One of its recurring activities is a forum for young women mathematicians, designed to support exchange and professional connection among early-career participants. The association also publishes an academic or scholarly journal and has produced written material about women in mathematics, including the 2002 volume Du côté des mathématiciennes. Its general assembly may be held in Paris or in other locations, reflecting an effort to maintain a national rather than exclusively Parisian presence. The association collaborates with French mathematical, scientific, and educational organizations. Examples include the Société Mathématique de France, the Société de Mathématiques Appliquées et Industrielles, the Association des Professeurs de Mathématiques de l'enseignement public, the Union des Professeurs de Spéciales, and the Commission Française pour l'enseignement des Mathématiques. These relationships connect its gender-equality mission with mathematics teaching, applied mathematics, academic research, and broader professional networks. In 2000, Women and Mathematics supported the creation of Femmes et Sciences, an organization established by figures including Françoise Cyrot-Lackmann, Huguette Delavault, Françoise Gaspard, Claudine Hermann, and Colette Kreder. Femmes et Sciences later inspired and managed the Hypatia project, which sought to recognize women scientists through a proposed representation connected with the Eiffel Tower. Eleven women mathematicians were selected for that initiative: Yvette Amice, Edmée Chandon, Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat, Jacqueline Ferrand, Sophie Germain, Geneviève Guitel, Marie-Louise Dubreil-Jacotin, Paulette Libermann, Edith Mourier, Michelle Schatzman, and Marie-Hélène Schwartz. The association is a mission-driven civil-society organization rather than a commercial consumer brand. Its public identity rests on expertise, collective advocacy, professional solidarity, and the promotion of equal opportunities in mathematics. The English name “Women and Mathematics” is a translation of its French identity, while its activities and institutional partnerships remain centered on the French mathematical and educational landscape. The association was reported to have approximately 200 members, and Anne Boyé was identified as president in 2024, with Laurence Broze and Lisa Morhaim serving as vice presidents.

Women and Mathematics was created in France in 1987 as a voluntary association addressing the underrepresentation of women in mathematics and scientific fields. Its membership has included university mathematics professors, school mathematics teachers, and researchers and scholars from adjacent disciplines such as sociology, philosophy, and history. This interdisciplinary composition reflects the association's view that gender inequality in mathematics is shaped not only by academic institutions but also by educational practices, cultural expectations, and public perceptions of scientific ability. From its beginnings, the association's mission has combined encouragement, communication, and equality. It has sought to make mathematics more accessible and attractive to girls and young women, support women pursuing mathematical study and research, and create professional connections among mathematicians. Its activities have included conferences, discussion meetings, general assemblies, and a forum for young women mathematicians. The general assembly has been held in Paris as well as elsewhere in France, while the association's headquarters are located at the Maison des Mathématiciens at the Institut Henri Poincaré in Paris. The organization has also maintained a publishing and intellectual role. It publishes an academic journal and has contributed to books and other materials documenting women's experiences and contributions in mathematics. A notable publication associated with the organization is Du côté des mathématiciennes, edited by Annick Boisseau, Véronique Chauveau, Françoise Delon, and Gwenola Madec, with participation from Marie-Françoise Roy, and published in 2002. Other projects have connected mathematics with artistic and cultural perspectives, including the 2001 volume Rencontres entre artistes et mathématiciennes : Toutes un peu les autres. Women and Mathematics has worked with major French mathematical and educational bodies, including the Société Mathématique de France, the Société de Mathématiques Appliquées et Industrielles, the Association des Professeurs de Mathématiques de l'enseignement public, the Union des Professeurs de Spéciales, and the Commission Française pour l'enseignement des Mathématiques. These links have enabled the association to bring gender-equality questions into discussions of mathematics teaching, academic research, applied mathematics, and professional life. A significant institutional development occurred in 2000, when Women and Mathematics supported the creation of Femmes et Sciences. The newer organization was founded by a group that included Françoise Cyrot-Lackmann, Huguette Delavault, Françoise Gaspard, Claudine Hermann, and Colette Kreder. Femmes et Sciences subsequently inspired and managed the Hypatia project, which proposed recognizing women scientists through a project associated with the Eiffel Tower. Eleven women mathematicians were selected: Yvette Amice, Edmée Chandon, Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat, Jacqueline Ferrand, Sophie Germain, Geneviève Guitel, Marie-Louise Dubreil-Jacotin, Paulette Libermann, Edith Mourier, Michelle Schatzman, and Marie-Hélène Schwartz. By the 2020s, Women and Mathematics remained an active French association with an estimated membership of about 200 people. Its work continued to center on women’s participation in mathematics, scientific education, research, and professional networks. In 2024, Anne Boyé was reported as president, supported by vice presidents Laurence Broze and Lisa Morhaim. The association's continuing identity is that of a specialist professional and advocacy body: it does not sell conventional consumer products, but offers forums, publications, events, partnerships, and public expertise intended to advance gender equality in mathematics.

• 2024

  Leadership reported

  [1]Femmes et Mathématiquesen.wikipedia.org

  Anne Boyé was identified as president, with Laurence Broze and Lisa Morhaim as vice presidents.

• 2002

  Publication of Du côté des mathématiciennes

  [1]Femmes et Mathématiquesen.wikipedia.org

  The association contributed to the publication of a book examining women mathematicians and their place in the discipline.

• 2001

  Publication on encounters between artists and women mathematicians

  [1]Femmes et Mathématiquesen.wikipedia.org

  A project connected with the association produced the book Rencontres entre artistes et mathématiciennes : Toutes un peu les autres.

• 2000

  Support for the creation of Femmes et Sciences

  [1]Femmes et Mathématiquesen.wikipedia.org

  The association supported the creation of Femmes et Sciences, a related organization focused on women in science.

• 1987

  Association founded

  [1]Femmes et Mathématiquesen.wikipedia.org

  Women and Mathematics was established in France as a voluntary association promoting women's participation in mathematics and scientific fields.

A specialist French mathematics association combining professional networking, public advocacy, education, and research-oriented discussion to improve gender equality and women's representation in mathematics.

• Professional forum

  Forum for young women mathematicians

  A networking and discussion forum intended to connect young women mathematicians and support communication, professional exchange, and visibility at an early stage of mathematical careers.

• Events

  Conferences and general assemblies

  The association organizes conferences, meetings, and general assemblies addressing women in mathematics, mathematics education, scientific careers, and gender equality. Assemblies may take place in Paris or in other French locations.

• Publishing

  Academic journal and publications

  Women and Mathematics publishes an academic journal and contributes to written resources about women mathematicians, gender, education, and scientific culture. Associated publications include Du côté des mathématiciennes and work linking mathematics with artistic practice.

• 2000Femmes et Sciences creation initiative

  France

  Women and Mathematics supported the establishment of Femmes et Sciences to strengthen advocacy and cooperation for women in scientific fields.

  Outcome. Femmes et Sciences became a related organization and later inspired and managed the Hypatia project.

  Source
• Hypatia project

  France

  The Hypatia project, inspired by Femmes et Sciences, sought to identify and publicly recognize women scientists through a representation connected with the Eiffel Tower. Eleven women mathematicians were selected for inclusion.

  Outcome. The selected mathematicians included Yvette Amice, Edmée Chandon, Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat, Jacqueline Ferrand, Sophie Germain, Geneviève Guitel, Marie-Louise Dubreil-Jacotin, Paulette Libermann, Edith Mourier, Michelle Schatzman, and Marie-Hélène Schwartz.

  Source

• 2000

  Support the formation of Femmes et SciencesStrategy

  Background

  The association sought broader institutional support for women's participation across scientific disciplines.

  Action taken

  It supported the creation of Femmes et Sciences as a complementary organization focused on women in science.

  Aftermath

  Femmes et Sciences later inspired and managed the Hypatia recognition project.

  Source

• 2024

  Anne Boyé identified as president of Women and Mathematics[1]Femmes et Mathématiquesen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Reference material identified Anne Boyé as president of the association, with Laurence Broze and Lisa Morhaim as vice presidents.

• 2000

  Women and Mathematics supports the creation of Femmes et Sciences[1]Femmes et Mathématiquesen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The association supported the establishment of Femmes et Sciences, a related organization addressing women's participation in science.

1. 1Femmes et Mathématiquesen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official website of Femmes et Mathématiquesfemmes-et-maths.fr