International Women in Engineering Day aims to raise the profile and celebrate the achievements of women in engineering in order to encourage more girls to consider engineering as a career.
Beulah Louise Henry, known as ‘the lady Edison’, patented multiple inventions in the 1920s and 1930s. These inventions included a bobbin-free lockstitch sewing machine; a vacuum ice cream freezer; a typewriter that made several copies without carbon paper; and a doll with flexible arms. She was able to capitalise on her inventions by producing them through manufacturing companies, making her a large fortune during her career.
After a trip to New York in the winter of 1903, Mary Anderson invented the windshield wiper. She was granted her first patent for this invention in November of the same year, and this patent lasted until 1920. Once this patent expired, auto-manufactuers adopted Anderson’s design into standard equipment in the automobile market.
Lillian Gilbreth studied workplace patterns and ergonomics, laying the foundation for human factors engineering and ergonomic design. Known as the ‘mother of modern management’, Gilbreth became the first female member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1926.
Credited with being at the helm of one of the biggest feats of engineering for her time, Emily Roebling is best known for her role as Chief Engineering during the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. Although she never planned on becoming an engineer, Roebling assumed the role of ‘first woman field engineer’ when her husband (who was in charge of the bridge’s construction) became ill. She took this role seriously, carrying out her own studies of technical issues, stress analysis, construction, materials and calculations.
Mary Fergusson is thought to be the first women in the UK to have had a full-time career as an engineer. She was the first female fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, having been elected in 1957. Fergusson broke a lot of new ground for women in engineering; she was also the first woman to have held the position of Senior Partner in a civil engineering company.
According to EngineeringUK in 2017, the UK had the lowest percentage of female engineering professionals in Europe, at less than 10%. With the percentage being so low, the Women’s Engineering Society (a charity formed in 1919) support women to achieve their potential as engineers, applied scientists and leaders. They reward excellence, encourage and promote the education, study and application of engineering.
Throughout history there have been incredible women working in STEM, making contributions which have changed the world. It is important that women continue to work in STEM, having equitable access to subjects and careers as their male counterparts.
Apprenticeships are a great way to access STEM subjects and establish yourself in a rewarding career. If you are interested in one of our STEM apprenticeships, find out more here or contact us by emailing apprenticeships@kent.ac.uk.