SPIE Women in Optics

Promoting personal and professional growth for women

A community of their own

The SPIE Women in Optics program promotes, supports, and engages women in optics and photonics fields through community building, networking opportunities, and by encouraging young women to choose optics as a career.

Three women in optics enjoy a photo opportunity
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Women In Optics notebook


Since 2005, SPIE has produced an annual Women in Optics notebook (formerly formatted as a daily planner) highlighting women who are making a difference through their work and other contributions to the fields of science, optics, and engineering. Along with promoting female scientists, it serves to introduce girls, women, and underrepresented groups to the possibilities of careers in all sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Seven thousand copies of the planner are printed and distributed, free of charge, in more than 25 countries worldwide annually. We are happy to provide free copies to SPIE Members and constituents, career counselors, science teachers, and community clubs, as well as anyone interested in supporting and promoting diversity in STEM.

View 2024 profiles

Tell us who should be featured in the next edition!


Nominate an inspiring woman for the 2025 notebook by 29 February 2024

Browse featured Women in Optics profiles by year


Thanks to this year's notebook sponsors


SPIE Gender Equity report


Equity in the optics and photonics workplace

In 2017, an SPIE Gender Equity Task Force was formed to identify how the professional environment and culture of the optics and photonics community can better enable equal opportunities, rewards, and recognition for its members, independent of gender. The resulting report is intended to inform and initiate real and measurable change in our community.