The engineering profession has always struggled to attract women, and Electrical and Electronic Engineering has been particularly affected by an imbalance between the sexes. The initial impetus to form a Women in Engineering group came from Dr Irena Atov, the founding Chair. IEEE-supported Women in Engineering groups have been active around the world for several years. Dr Atov has always been active in promoting engineering as a career choice and, with the support of the IEEE Vic Section, established the IEEE Victorian Section Women in Engineering (WIE) Affinity Group on 22 July 2005.

The interest from women in Melbourne's academic and industry community was immediate. Support also came from the University of Melbourne's IEEE Student Branch, who had been actively promoting women's interests within the University environment.

The support of Mary Ellen Randall, Jan Brown and Tamara Seely from the IEEE Women-in-Engineering Committee in New Jersey has been encouraging and appreciated.