If the Marine Biological Laboratory can do it, why can't the rest of us?

The Friday Evening Lecture series at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) is a highly prestigious and exciting series of lectures held every summer in at the MBL. The room is always packed - standing room only - and is undoubtedly the highlight of the week for scientists and science enthusiasts alike who flock to the tiny town of Woods Hole on Cape Cod to immerse themselves in what I call "summer camp for scientists". The speakers are renowned investigators, many holding positions of leadership at premiere research institutions around the world. Their talks are often a mix of science, history and philosophy, and the question and answer sessions are delightful and deep. However, among the most notable things in this series is the fact that most of the speakers have been women for the past 2 years running. With many of the prestigious lecture series dominated by famous male scientists and high profile conferences mandating at least 30% women speakers as a mark of diversity, the MBL clearly has gotten something right. These women knock it out of the park, week after week. Why can't others who organize conferences, seminar series and symposia follow the MBL lead and add dynamic, successful women to their rosters?