Women’s History Month: Exploring Women’s Impact in Engineering

March 8, 2024

Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of women throughout the ages and their contributions in the STEM fields.

Cabe Atwell

Related To: Electronic Design

Edith Clarke, electrical engineer

Edith Clarke was an electrical engineer and the first woman professionally employed to hold that title in the U.S. She was a woman of many firsts: The first woman to deliver a paper at the American Institute of Electrical Engineers; the first female engineer whose professional standing was recognized by Tau Beta Pi, the oldest engineering honor society; and the first woman named as a Fellow of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers.

Edith was a trailblazer in power system analysis and design. She also developed the Clarke calculator, a graphical method for solving power transmission-line equations, which revolutionized the field of electrical engineering. Her innovative work helped improve the efficiency and reliability of power systems, laying the foundation for the modern electrical grid.

Her accomplishments are impressive, to say the least, but what’s incredible is that they were done during a time (early 1920s) when women weren’t allowed to perform EE work. Edith eventually helped kill that notion and became a salaried EE alongside men. She finished her stellar career in 1947, when she joined the faculty of the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Texas (Austin), making her the first female professor of electrical engineering in the country.

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This gallery is part of the TechXchange: Workers in Science & Engineering (WISE).

With Women’s History Month upon us, we honor some of the contributions women engineers and scientists have made over the decades. Despite facing some systemic societal barriers and stereotypes, women engineers have made significant strides in the engineering fields, leaving their notable mark in the STEM space and paving the way for future generations.

From designing groundbreaking inventions to spearheading innovative projects, these trailblazing women have shattered expectations and challenged traditional norms. Their talents, resilience, and ingenuity are a lasting testament to their undeniable skill and character. It’s on that note that we highlight the accomplishments of some of the most extraordinary women in engineering and science history, along with their achievements and enduring impact on shaping the technological world of today.

About the Author

Cabe Atwell | Technology Editor, Electronic Design

Cabe is a Technology Editor for Electronic Design.

Engineer, Machinist, Maker, Writer. A graduate Electrical Engineer actively plying his expertise in the industry and at his company, Gunhead. When not designing/building, he creates a steady torrent of projects and content in the media world. Many of his projects and articles are online at element14 & SolidSmack, industry-focused work at EETimes & EDN, and offbeat articles at Make Magazine. Currently, you can find him hosting webinars and contributing to Electronic Design and Machine Design.

Cabe is an electrical engineer, design consultant and author with 25 years’ experience. His most recent book is “Essential 555 IC: Design, Configure, and Create Clever Circuits”

Cabe writes the Engineering on Friday blog on Electronic Design.