In honor of Women’s History Month, ASIS wanted to highlight the history of women in our own organization.
The very first woman to join ASIS was Joan Craven Berry, who joined in 1957. Berry began her career in the U.S. Women’s Army Corps during World War II before transitioning to the Air Force. She continued to work in the civil service for 28 years.
In 1956, Berry’s office, the Rochester Air Procurement District, AMC-USAF, hosted its annual security seminar. At that event, two ASIS International members spoke. The two men, John Jacappi and Gene Quillen, encouraged Berry to join. Berry went on to become a founding member of the Rochester, New York chapter.
“My name appears in the first membership supplement printed,” Berry said in an interview. “I have remarried so I was listed then as Joan Craven.”
Berry was the first chapter secretary for the Rochester chapter, a position she held for four years. She later moved, transferring her membership to the Denver chapter. Berry continued to hold leadership positions in her new chapter, but despite running for chapter chair, was unable to secure the position. The men in the Denver chapter did not want a woman to lead their chapter.
As time progressed, so did the security industry and ASIS. Female membership continued to grow. In 1985, the association selected its first woman to serve as president.
Darlene Sherwood, CPP, joined ASIS in the early 1970s, quickly becoming an involved member. She served as the first female chairman of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter and was the first woman appointed to the Foundation board. She was then elected to the ASIS Board of Directors, before assuming the presidency in 1985. Sherwood worked as a manager of government security administration for SRI International.
As president, Sherwood highlighted the importance and benefit of risk-taking as a volunteer. In her first speech as president, Sherwood told the audience about the “Society of Giraffes,” founded to honor those willing to stick their necks out for the common good. She encouraged her fellow members to continue taking risks for the common good.
“ASIS has hundreds of members willing to exercise giraffe management,” Sherwood said.
More recently, ASIS has made specific efforts to highlight women in the security industry as well as further engagement of women looking to enter the field. In 2013, the Women in Security working group began. Prior to establishing a formal community, ASIS creates working groups to allow members to put leadership in place and allow for more structure. Even before becoming an official community, the Women in Security (WIS) working group established the Karen Marquez Honors. Since 2013, the award has been presented annually to a female security professional who has consistently worked for the betterment of the security industry. (Applications are open now!)
Two years later, the Women in Security community was officially founded. Since its formation, the WIS community has grown steadily, and today it is one of ASIS International’s largest communities. The community is open to all and is dedicated to advancing the role of women in the security industry with meaningful support, resources, and mentorship.
In 2023, ASIS joined with the Security Industry Association (SIA) to host the first annual Security LeadHER. The day-and-a-half event features impactful keynotes, lively networking, and small group breakouts centered around the central mission of advancing, connecting and empowering women in security profession. In its first two years, the event has been well-received, consistently selling out and providing attendees with valuable insights and practical benefits. The 2025 conference will take place 9-10 June in Detroit, Michigan.
ASIS International is committed to fostering ongoing growth and advancement within the security industry, empowering women to lead and excel as both current and future industry leaders.
Image guide:
Left: Mrs. Joan Craven Berry
Center: Darlene Sherwood, CPP, receives the gavel of office from her predecessor, Ronald Beatty, CPP
Right: Attendees at the 2024 Security LeadHER conference
