National Women In Engineering Day

Young women in engineering, wearing safety glasses, calculating equations on a whiteboard in a vibrant, tech-filled workspace.. — National women in engineering day illustration

Welcome to a marvelous day dedicated to celebrating the brilliant minds of women in engineering, a day that has sparked exciting online chats orbiting at 16,818 mentions, peaking on June 23, 2015. Here's a twisted riddle for you: what's both heavier and lighter than cement, and busy juggling angles, numbers, steels, and wires? You guessed it - women in engineering!

When is Women In Engineering Day?

It's national women in engineering day on the 23rd June.

Reshaping a Man's World: Overview

Women in Engineering Day, marked on the 23rd of June each year, is a day that celebrates the often underrepresented and overlooked contribution of women to the engineering field - one that traditionally has been dominated by men. Online chatter about this day soared to a spectacular 16,818 mentions on June 23, 2015, when the internet nearly leaky-gasketed with everyone posting and tweeting about the ingenuity of women engineers.

When Pipes and Wires Went Viral

So, what was everyone posting about? Would you believe it was all things engineering – from the linguini-complexity of electrical circuits to the wobble factor of perilously-high skyscrapers. Abstract or concrete, virtual or tactile, women engineers were at the front of this all-geek-all-glam parade, casting their blueprint of passion, creativity, and resilience.

The Audience Reception

The internet - that conceptual bridge that connects minds and hearts across spatial-temporal rifts, welcomed this celebration with warm embraces and caps-lock enthusiasm. From heart-clapping emojis to share-a-thons of inspiring stories of women engineers, it was a day colored with respect, admiration, and aspiration. Make no algorithmic mistake, Women in Engineering Day danced its way to becoming a beloved online sensation.

History behind the term 'Women In Engineering'

1870

First Female Engineering Graduate

In 1870, Elizabeth Bragg became the first woman to receive a degree in engineering. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a civil engineering degree. This marked a significant step forward for women in engineering, as it showed that women were capable of excelling in a field traditionally dominated by men.

1919

Formation of the Society of Women Engineers

In 1919, a group of pioneering women engineers established the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). The organization aimed to support and empower women in engineering by providing networking opportunities, scholarships, and professional development resources. SWE played a crucial role in breaking down barriers and promoting gender diversity in the engineering industry.

1969

The First Woman Engineer at NASA

In 1969, Katherine Johnson made history as the first African-American woman to join NASA's team of engineers. Her remarkable contributions to the space program, including her work on the calculations for the Apollo moon landing, helped shatter stereotypes and inspire future generations of women in engineering.

1984

National Engineers Week Recognizes Women in Engineering

Since 1984, National Engineers Week, celebrated in February, has been instrumental in highlighting the achievements and contributions of women in engineering. This annual celebration raises awareness of the accomplishments of female engineers and strives to inspire young girls to pursue careers in engineering and other STEM fields.

2001

International Women in Engineering Day

International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) was first introduced in 2001 by the Women's Engineering Society (WES) in the United Kingdom. Celebrated on June 23rd of each year, INWED aims to celebrate the incredible achievements of women in engineering worldwide and raise awareness about the opportunities available to women in this field.

2020

Increasing Representation and Diversity

In recent years, initiatives and organizations have focused on addressing the gender imbalance in engineering. Efforts such as promoting STEM education to young girls, implementing mentorship programs, and highlighting the achievements of women engineers have aimed to increase representation and diversity within the engineering industry.

Did you know?

Funny enough, as our eyes were glued to the screen reading about women in engineering, behind the scenes, it was probably a female engineer who made sure that our internet connection didn't blink. Let's hear it for women in engineering, ensuring our internet doesn't decide to take an untimely coffee break!