WOMEN’S ENGINEERING SOCIETY VOL 20 • NO 5 - WINTER 2019 www.wes.org.uk The Woman Engineer
1919 - 2019
Inside this issue......
Making it Happen How volunteering for WES can bring benefits to you as an individual and to your company. Page 6
Also inside ......
VOL 20 • NO 1 - WINTER 2018
WOMEN’S ENGINEERING SOCIETY www.wes.org.uk WES Centenary Trail Map The Woman Engineer Inside this issue...... An update on our very successful
WES Awards 2018 and Caroline Haslett Lecture A celebratory evening and a motivating presentation. WES members gather to honour outstanding achievements. Page 6
7 201 TER WIN 17 - NO 19 • Also inside ...... VOL
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Th so in n yo igh g, e mem d ha Pu rt is as n be o be cisio t is h nkin ES coul port women’s engineering society po life ca n t de . I thi ’ W u ors tors nal at I oma o be buzz pid it all e yo mot is ss mo erso er th a w ve t om eal s, ra ing agin r in that ucce y p ine for u ha f wh r cale ‘hav I im inee and a ng s in m t eng lace d yo ny o d mes t of n? “ eng ed ’t be suri bes ral p an , ma olve ti wha ssio an bas uldn I mea the atu rong nce inv But se wom tory I co n – red t a n e st die be Q&A e a fac ly. “ ildre nou no to b e au re to ely till b o be nest ch s ho is ave ld th we a liv nd s ed t ho had ose rdee u h e to they ated ily a d ne ered and ed th r Awa yo ,” sh een min r fam oul nsw own rag tee ES 4 lfish w k s do eve ou w e a d d cou olun he W age se f ho nt i ad n ut y ,” sh ettle e en to v of t P ke o t. nme e h , b me f I s ” Sh stry ted WES centenary year and her longer term hopes for spo por viro id sh done t for eer i ed. ndu hin to tors e en sa or no gin bas he i she uels mo h th ena said re e en rack r in t and ive f a in oug e, Le ing mo r rac ng t ree lved rnat ters Alth ron nyth ted a ante bei a ca nvo alte it en er oste by a oca of b ith love d in get i on as and test ed adv a lot g w ste to work port byst by ffend she is alon ntere end to tors e to ntion n o ary, here our t of i eek eers f mo uffic rve bee ontr e. “T hum a lo n a w ngin re o or, s inte he c titud e of ave y o or e futu e flo ime. on t g at ens ut I h n m t. ed f the m th e t up ptin a s ty b ed i eren ne ape fro som eak cce eed iliari volv diff y p sh tion for o sp a ou n fam le in lf as orr hel se. ecia t on ow t d y t of eop yse to w pha ppr wen 1 H an en e p e m sed ple new the a use e 6 elem all th ’t se . 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017 ter 2 win the Society. eer - gin n en oma celebration of 100 years of WES. Page 4 Prior to her appointment as CEO, Elizabeth had attended the w a couple of WES events and says: “I noticed it was full of
very keen young women who were very proud of WES’ Annual Report 2017-2018 heritage. There has always been a great deal of enthusiasm
s.org.uk about WES’ activities and ambitions and I’m conscious that www.we WES has always punched above its weight.” Continued on page 3… 1 women’s engineering society
WES Annual Report 2017-2018 Electrifying a remote Yearly report from WES Trustees on the Himalayan village activities of the Society for the year ended An inspirational ENGINEERING 31st March 2018. Centre pull-out 1 journey for a member of the London Cluster Group. Page 5
the woman engineer - winter 2018
Annual Report 2018-2019
www.wes.org.uk
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WES Annual Report 2018-2019 WES Awards 2019 Yearly report from WES Trustees on the Celebrating the Members who are helping to activities of the Society for the year ended 31 shape our society. Page 3 March 2019. Centre pull-out
the woman engineer - winter 2019 1919 - 2019 1 From the editor’s desk
Good governance, desire, ambition, enthusiasm, hard work and commitment are all required to drive an organisation such as the Women’s President’s Message Engineering Society forward but I cannot believe that it is nearly a year it is PEOPLE who really make the since I became the President of WES! The difference. Individuals and collective time has simply flown by with the frenetic groups help to shape WES into a run of the usual annual WES events, Society that, whilst steeped in history conferences and awards as well as the fabulous Centenary events that have and tradition, is very much a modern been held this year. At the AGM we said day body that represents the current goodbye to some long serving Trustees and future needs of women (and the who have held various roles over the years wider engineering professions). Lynn Postle, FICME – Petra and Roseni thank you so much for your dedication and continued support Clearly, we are having a fantastic year, who improve people’s lives and strive over a very long period. In fact Petra was we are celebrating our past whilst still to help us live in a more sustainable the President in 1998 so really has been ensuring that we accommodate the manner. To say an “engineer’s time has instrumental in the Society for decades! I needs of the world as it is now and come” is condescending, in fact it has would also like to thank our other departing is going to be in the coming years. always been an engineer’s time, it’s Council Members and Trustees. Without Actually in many respects the needs just that with the help of WES and other their commitment, and that of other key volunteers, the Society simply would not of pioneering women engineers a like-minded bodies, more people are exist. hundred years ago and those of today’s recognising this now. This fantastic Centenary year is We do need to look to the future now trailblazers are similar – a level of and figure out how to properly complete just the start of the next phase for us respect and a fair playing field being the the transition from a purely volunteer led main objectives. all, thank you for your governance, and run Society into one that has a well- We have always appreciated the desire, ambition, enthusiasm, hard functioning governance set up that is power of an engineering mind to solve work and commitment – it is very much meaningful and supports our Members. the world’s problems, this was true in appreciated. Consequently we held a Council workshop the past when we brought energy and Best wishes for your end of year at the start of October to try and develop technical abilities to societies and it celebrations and here’s to 2020. a set-up that would deliver for WES into our next century. By far the overwhelming is never more prominent than at this feedback from the staff, Trustees and very moment, when technological Next issue contribution deadline – 10 January 2020 Council Members was that we needed to change is rapid. It will be engineers focus on delivering support to our Members. Thus I hope that our newly proposed Council set up with clear output focussed steering groups will help to put the ‘woman engineer’ back at the centre of our purpose and ensure that we truly do support don’t miss our Members to achieve their career aspirations! Dawn Childs MA MDA BEng CEng FICE FIMechE Check the WES website FRAeS FWES International Women in for more events and Engineering Day updates 23 June – Globally www.inwed.org.uk www.wes.org.uk
addressed to: The Woman Engineer is subscription price of £30.00 Engineer should be sent published by the Women’s per annum (inc postage). to the Editor at the same The Secretary, Women’s Engineering Society. It is Send subscription orders to address. Engineering Society distributed free of charge WES. Cheques should be Michael Faraday House The views expressed in this to members of the Society made payable to: Women’s journal are not necessarily The Women’s Engineering Six Hills Way and to selected professional Engineering Society. STEVENAGE SG1 2AY the views of the Society. Society is a charity women engineers, scientists wes1919 registered with the Charity Tel: 01438 765506 and women undergraduates. Overseas subscriptions: Commission No. 1008913 Email: [email protected] price by surface mail is and a company limited by www.wes.org.uk Produced by: Rivers Media, £40.00 per annum. Sterling @wes1919 guarantee registered in www.rivers-media.co.uk cheques or bank drafts England No. 162096. The Woman Engineer should be made payable Women’s All correspondence Editor: Lynn Postle FICME Subscriptions: the journal to Women’s Engineering Engineering Society regarding membership and Email: [email protected] is available to non-WES Society. All items for the work of WES should be members in the UK at a inclusion in The Woman ©The Woman Engineer 2019
2 1919 - 2019 the woman engineer - winter 2019 WES Awards WES Awards 2019 WES is delighted to be able to honour our members who work tirelessly to promote the value of membership and to instigate activities to promote both WES and women in engineering. Their efforts ensure that WES is Isabel Hardwich Award able to support its members and encourage those women working in Petra Gratton engineering, students of engineering and returners to thrive in their The Isabel careers. Hardwich Award is for a Member of WES who has t is to be noted that it was a particularly difficult decision to narrow down the made a positive Ifield this year and the internal awards panel had a tough time deciding on impact on the the recipients of the 2019 WES Awards. We are thrilled to have such dedicated Society over a members to choose from and are delighted to report that Petra Gratton is the sustained period recipient of this year’s Isabel Hardwich Award. In addition Gillian Skinner Awards of time, and will be given to both Holly Goodwin and Caroline Carslaw. this is certainly Petra was presented with the Isabel Hardwich Award at the AGM in October and said she true of Petra was surprised and delighted to receive the honour. Gratton. Petra joined WES in 1990 and her first formal role came two years’ later when she was appointed Chair Gillian Skinner Award of the London Branch. She has sat on the Editorial Board for many years, assisted Holly Goodwin and Caroline Carslaw with the organisation of conferences and Holly Goodwin and Caroline Carslaw are founding Members was elected Vice President in 1997 then of the WES Young Members’ Board and both remained on the President in 1998, when her presidential board for three years. Holly played an active role in a variety of aim was to set up a mentoring scheme. projects and Caroline held the position of Vice Chair. This vision turned into WES’ cross-sector Holly’s most notable work was on the Essay Competition mentoring scheme, MentorSET, which and WES Centenary Draw an Engineer Competition, where her is still going strong today and has made dedicated promotional work resulted in a substantial increase in hundreds of pairings, providing support entries, enabling us to reach more children. This in turn resulted to mentees and personal development to in an increased amount of labour to administer the competition mentors. for Holly. Holly’s hard work, wonderful humour and support of In 1999 Petra delivered a speech to WES is greatly appreciated. the Campaign Promoting Engineering Caroline has provided invaluable support to the Chairs Jo (CPE) National Congress entitled ‘Let’s Douglas-Harris and latterly Sophie Hutchins and she should talk about sex!’ which, as reported in The be commended for the work she put into gathering stories for Woman Engineer, “caused a bit of a stir” The Woman Engineer and e.newsletter on the activities of the and “woke them all up”. Petra re-joined YMB. This was fundamental in making the WES YMB highly Council as a Trustee in 2017 and has regarded within WES and to the success of the YMB activities played an active role as a Trustee for the where public engagement has been crucial. Caroline also played last two years. She is seen by all as rational a major role in the administration of the competitions run by and fair, and the support she gave behind WES and came up with the idea and artwork for the Draw an the scenes in the running of WES in 2018 Engineer Competition which featured a woman dressed in old was particularly greatly appreciated by the attire looking in a mirror. Her hard work, tenacity and support of staff. WES has been invaluable.
Highly Commended • Jennifer Glover, who since being • Kati Gastrow ran all the preparation Such was the calibre of nominees for elected the first Chair of the University meetings for the Centenary from the this year’s awards that the following Groups Board in September 2018, and early planning stages until the start individuals have been Highly shortly after becoming Student Liaison of this year, keeping everyone up to date with the plans and ensuring Commended in the Gillian Skinner Officer, has single-handedly managed that the overall map of events was Award category. the ongoing administration of the WES Student Groups, and worked hard to communicated. • Carolina Escudero has run the tidy up records, amend the website • Caroline Graham was the brains London Cluster with passion, energy and endeavour with Jo Douglas-Harris behind the Scottish WES100 National and enthusiasm. Under her leadership to re-write the terms of reference, Essay Competition. She was responsible the cluster held the first round of the making valid recommendations from for the majority of the organisation and engineering work shadowing week, and personally gave a substantial amount of a financial advisory event for women the perspective of the Student Groups as well as WES. time to the competition and sourced the engineers, amongst other achievements. prizes. the woman engineer - winter 2019 1919 - 2019 3 news......
A meeting of like-minded souls
As ever the WES AGM provided an excellent opportunity had to issue a ballot to for long standing and new Members to come together and all Members because network. we had received four nominations for the Held on Saturday 19 October in Birmingham, following a WES three Vice President Council meeting in the morning, the AGM enabled WES to report positions. The ballot was on the activities that have taken place during the past year and sent to all fully paid up the event also included an excellent debate about climate change Members and we had as instigated by guest speaker Kat Ibbotson, Carbon Planning a return rate of approx. Manager at the Environment Agency. Pictured alongside President Dawn Childs, Hon 20%. To our knowledge It was pleasing to note the enthusiasm of participants and the Secretary Sally Sudworth declares the meeting open there has not been a good level of positivity about the future of WES and the range of ballot for this within living memory, if anyone knows different events held to celebrate our Centenary. please let us know. The winners of the ballot were Jo Douglas- Eagle-eyed readers will see that the top table was adorned with Harris, Adriana Vargas-Colwill and Katherine Critchley. a beautifully crocheted table cloth with the WES logo. This was WES Membership and Volunteers Manager Cath Heslop said: made to celebrate our Centenary by WES Member, Liz Meddings “It is fantastic to see so many WES Members taking an interest in BEng (Hons), MSc, CEng, MSIBSE, MWES, Senior Engineer how the Society is run and take the time to choose between four (Building Services), Arup. Liz is not always able to take part in as excellent nominees for the VP position. Thank you to Grazyna many events as she would like so decided to contribute in another Whapshott and Fiona Scott for acting as scrutineers during the way. She explained in a letter to WES: “Handicrafts were a part of counting of the votes”. the women’s movement when you formed, so I thought this would The following were elected as Trustees: President, Dawn be a good way to celebrate.” It certainly was and the skill involved Childs; Immediate Past President, Benita Mehra; Honorary to create something so special is very much appreciated. It is a Secretary, Sally Sudworth; Vice Presidents – Katherine Critchley, fitting way to mark such a special year for us. Jo Douglas-Harris, Adriana Vargas-Colwill. In the coming weeks Such is the desire to get actively involved with WES that we Council will also be electing two more ‘Council-appointed’ Trustees. The Council Members are as follows: Benita Mehra, Carol Morris, Chiara Heide, Dawn Childs, Jacinta Caden, Jess Wade, Katherine Kirk, Reema Harfoushi, Ruth Carter, Sally Sudworth, Sarah Chen, Adriana Vargas-Colwill, Alexandra Knight, Carmen Zaragoza, Carolina Escudero, Chrisma Jain, Ifeyinwa Rita Kanu, Jay Surti, Jennifer Glover, Jo Douglas- Harris, Katherine Critchley, Kim Everitt, Milada Williams, Natalie Cheung, Ursula Heng. Pauline Smith submitted a nomination for the post of Treasurer after the deadline, and as such could not be considered at this AGM. At the Council Meeting to follow, and in accordance with our M&As, Council co-opted Pauline onto Council and to the role of Treasurer.
Centenary Trail Project Update
The Centenary Project is progressing well. We have held another productive Wikithon as part of the Heritage Open Days Festival at the LSE Women’s Library, which resulted in some new entries of women engineers finding their way onto Wikipedia. There are a few more Wikithons planned for the early part of 2020, including Newcastle, Swansea and Belfast. If there is one near you please come along and help to make Wikipedia less sexist and raise the profile of our women engineers of the past. Dates will be available in the next edition of The Woman Engineer and on the website. Also, as part of Heritage Open Days the Centenary Trail, Helen Close, Centenary Trail Project Officer went along to the Lloyds Register, London, which holds 250 years of marine and engineering science material. The archivists there are beginning to discover the “hidden women” of the dockyards, ships and seas. Other HOD events which had a WES Centenary Trail presence were the Electrifying Women’s Creative Writing Workshop at Armley Mills, Leeds, and the Heritage Regeneration Project at Wentworth Woodhouse, Rotherham.
4 1919 - 2019 the woman engineer - winter 2019 news...... Partner Update ES is delighted to welcome WBAI Communications, Cadent, CityFibre and Equinix as new Company Partners. We are also extremely pleased WES Young Members’ Board that Coventry University has joined as a new Education Partner; and also to see CoolDC and Metis Consultants join WES as SME Partners. #WESLottieTour We continue to be grateful to our he WES YMB organised their renewing partners which include: BAE Tfourth #WESLottieTour for Systems renewing as an Event Partner; FM Tomorrow's Engineers Week in Global which renews as a Company Partner November. #WESLottieTour uses Plus partner; ABB, DP World, EMCOR, Lottie Dolls to show the variety Johnson Controls, Malvern Panalytical, of exciting careers available in Metropolitan Police, National Grid, engineering. The theme of the Scottish Power and Transport for London tour this year was #ThenAndNow, renewing as Company Partners; and finally, Aston University, University of Newcastle to celebrate the WES centenary and University of Warwick returning as and show how much engineering Education Partners. has changed over the past 100 For all WES partnership and sponsorship years. enquiries, contact: [email protected] In addition to the tour, the YMB also worked with Arklu, the producers of Lottie, to create a poster aimed at primary age students. The poster is double sided, with one side showcasing the kind of photographs posted by engineers during Tomorrow’s Engineers week, and the other side celebrates female engineers from history. WES members can pick up copies of the poster at WES events to take to any outreach activities they take part in, and the poster will also be available to download from the WES website. Next year, we will be offering the opportunity to sponsor the #WESLottieTour. If you'd be interested in this email: [email protected] YMB WES 100 Violets Project gets underway Earlier this year, the Young Members’ Board was awarded a £30,000 Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious grant New Members to deliver a Public Engagement Project for WES welcomes the following new the WES Centenary. The WES 100 Violets members: Project challenges engineers to design and create an exhibit that celebrates Lexi Abbey, Nicole Badstuber, Rachel Bennett, and showcases an aspect of their work Chloe Bond, Jane Brockman, Radha Pyari or research that they feel is important to Bulusu, Tim Chambers, Chloe Chandler, Ionela communicate to the public. Chivu, Frankie Coulthread, Laure Delisle, Applications opened in June. Following the application deadline in September, the Michele Dix, Lisa Dunn, Esther Dunstan-Sewell, YMB reviewed the applications, all of which were of a very high standard, and selected Eseosa Ekanem, Natalie Foster, Zoe Garstang, the top eight exhibit ideas to progress through the project. These eight teams will now Jansy Green, Zoe Hall, Carmina Harrod, receive up to £1,500 to turn their ideas into reality. Hannah Holdsworth, Laura Hubbard, Aminah On 12 October, the YMB held the first of two training days for the teams in London. Hussain, Katherine Ibbotson, Catherine The day was led by Science Made Simple, a science communication training company. Kamal, Jill Lawton, Jeniffer Lowther, Miranda It was a very engaging day and deemed a great success. Even the YMB members Lowther, Sorcha Maddison, Jo Maidment, organising the day left feeling more confident in their STEM communication skills. Sulafa Malik, Senamiso Mathobela, The second training day will be held in January. Following that, the YMB is organising Angela Meah, Margaret Murphy, Aisha a large central showcase for 21 March, where the teams will have an opportunity to Oyafemi, Olivia Peel , Emily Quinn, Rebecca showcase their exhibits to the public for the first time. Quinn, Subathra Rajendran, Narmeen Rehman, Sophie Ridgeway, Eleanor Roake, Gareth Rowe, Jemma Rowlandson, Bunmi Sangosanya, Larisa Schelkin, Renata Silva, Rob Sims, Pauline Smith, Stephanie Spruce, Courteney Stone, Sandi Suleman, Eva Trost, WES London Cluster Antonia Tzemanaki, Emilie Weaving, Kate Whelan, Aurora Widawati, Rebecca Willis, fter an amazing Centenary year in 2019 it’s time for the WES London Elaine Yip, K Zhan ACluster to reflect on what exciting events can be organised in 2020. The WES London Cluster Committee is looking to launch initiatives that will help individuals in their career and aspirations. New Student Groups Suggestions are welcome at: [email protected] Coventry University and Aston University the woman engineer - winter 2019 1919 - 2019 5 Volunteering for WES Making it happen he strength of WES is in the loyalty of a team of climate change, which filters back to work. There is a definite Tvolunteers who give many hours of their time to ensure payback for being involved with WES.” the organisation can achieve its objective of supporting Jo Douglas-Harris echoes that sentiment: “Volunteering with women at all levels in their careers in engineering. One WES has so many benefits; I’ve found an incredible network of activity which relies on the women, developed skills that have helped me secure the job I wanted and succeed in my role, and I love being able to give dedication and commitment back to a group that has given me such amazing opportunities,” of our Member volunteers is she enthused. our conference and events It is encouraging to note that many of our Members who programme, which is only Volunteering Handbook are volunteering hail from all parts of the wider engineering made possible because of our discipline and are either starting out on their career path, hardworking volunteers. established in their companies or are retired and still actively engaged with fellow WES Members. One such example is this year’s Centenary Conference, held at the Why volunteer? RAF Museum in London in March. In future issues of The Woman Engineer we will be featuring our WES is particularly indebted to Sally volunteers and looking at the inspiration behind their activities. Sudworth and Jo Douglas-Harris for One thing that does connect all of them is a passion for their the work they undertook to plan the profession and for WES. They are eager to encourage more conference, which took two years. It women and men to get involved at all levels and continue is due to their hard work that the to shape our Society. However, this is also matched with conference was such a success and enthusiasm, team working skills and commitment. WES is very offered so much guidance and advice to so many people. appreciative of their efforts and would like to thank all our Sally Sudworth, who is also a WES Trustee and Honorary volunteers for their hard work and support. Secretary along with providing the impetus for the Centenary We have a new volunteering handbook which is currently Conference told The Woman Engineer that for her volunteering being sent out to volunteers, to highlight the activities you gives a very definite “payback” in her professional life. “The can get involved with, and to encourage you to get involved. personal development that I get out of the involvement with WES Volunteers don’t have to commit to organising a large event, complements my work life. It’s a win/win for me as it offers me a they can “dip in” when possible and donate as much time as is more rounded development plan which is why the team at work possible for them. We are grateful for all support. A copy of the support me in this – I reach a much wider spectrum of people. volunteers handbook is available to download on the Members My involvement with WES also enables me to pursue the things I area of the website. am interested in and passionate about such as sustainability and he following are just some of the events held recently that • 23 June: WES Members’ lunch organised by Grazyna Whapshott. Thave been made possible by those of you keen to drive • 11 July: Celebrating 100 years of WES (Merseyside and Wirral), initiatives and appreciate the benefits of networking. organised by Cluster Co-ordinators Elaine Meskhi and Rosti • 24 January: The Changemakers event launched the Centenary Readioff. and was organised by Jan Peters. • 23 July: Siemens and WES joint celebratory event, Newcastle, • 15 March: WES Centenary Conference, organised by Sally organised by Jo Douglas-Harris. Sudworth and Jo Douglas-Harris. • 9 September: WES London Cluster – Finance Education Event • 15 May: Wales Centenary Conference, organised by Katherine with St James Place, organised by Cluster Co-ordinator Carolina Critchley and Milada Williams. Escudero. • 20 June: Transforming the Future, organised by WES Bath • 27 November: WES Celebratory Summit, organised by Cluster Student Group and Cluster Co-ordinator Nicola Grahamslaw. Co-ordinator Kim Everitt.
WES CEO recognised as one of the 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN ENGINEERING WES CEO Elizabeth Donnelly praises the Membership as she is announced as one of the top 100 Most Influential Women in the Engineering Sector. The list was produced by board appointments firm Inclusive Boards in partnership with the Financial Times. Inclusive Boards will also be publishing extensive research into engineering in the UK as well as the results of their diversity survey of the UK’s top 500 engineering companies by revenue. Elizabeth said: “I am delighted to be listed in the Women in Engineering 100 for 2019, I consider this as recognition of the hard work and dedication of my team and the active Members of WES. It is vital that we celebrate women’s achievements in engineering. Awards like this help to encourage females to work to their potential and go on to achieve the careers they deserve. There is a plethora of talent in the WIE 100 this year and I am honoured to be alongside such amazing women.” Past President and former WES CEO, Dawn Bonfield, was also featured in the WIE 100 alongside senior leaders from top engineering companies such as Amey, Arup, BAE Systems, and Laing O’Rourke.
6 1919 - 2019 the woman engineer - winter 2019 Volunteering for WES
Breaking the Mould Each WES conference is designed with you, our members, in mind. You always tell us that you enjoy the development sessions that we feature and earlier this year at the WES Centenary Conference we did just that. The title of the session was ‘Breaking the mould: how to be true to yourself and be successful in business’. It was a taster experiential session that first involved a creative problem solving technique to ‘wake up’ the right-hand side of the brain. Delegates were asked to draw a sketch or write a short poem. This technique has been scientifically proven to provide a greater range of solutions to problems rather than relying on logic alone i.e. the left-hand side of the brain. Sally Sudworth BSc CEng CEnv FICE FWES MCIWEM, the facilitator for the session, then invited everyone to close their eyes and took them on an imaginary can help with career development such as journey to the future, to a tropical island, where they enjoyed the feel of warm positions on Council or as a member of the sunshine on their faces whilst reflecting on their recent successes. Participants used Board as a Trustee. their experience to describe their life and/or business goals and identified a first step For more information contact Sally, email: to turn their ambitions into reality. This was a taster session that gave people an [email protected] introduction to some different and fun techniques that they might try themselves. Resources Sally also introduced delegates to vision boards and shared one that she had 1. Creating a Vision Board (Dr Sam Collins of created for herself (pictured above right), and she recommended this tried and tested Aspire). technique for tapping into the subconscious, which helps to understand what’s truly Follow the steps on this link to create your important to individuals. Instructions are reproduced with the kind permission of Dr own vision board. Set your life goals and Sam Collins from Aspire. achieve your optimum work life balance! Being an active member of the Society can also provide many other types of https://lifelabs.psychologies.co.uk/ development opportunities. Sally was Chair of the planning committee for the WES users/596-dr-sam-collins/posts/262-how-to- Centenary Conference, which took two years of careful planning, and was also Chair kick-start-your-dreams-in-just-one-hour for the conference on the day. We encourage members to take up opportunities that OBITUARY Karen Burt Memorial Award Penny Owen andy Lester of Atkins has been It is with regret that we report the death of Penny Mselected as the winner of the Karen Owen. Burt Memorial Award for this year. enny was a Senior Development Engineer at Mandy was nominated by the Institution of PMolins Ltd and became a member of WES in Chemical Engineers (IChemE) for the Award April 1981, becoming Vice Chair of the London which is presented in recognition of the best Branch in June 1981. newly chartered woman engineer. Now in In 1982 she arranged a Career Convention its 21st year, this prestigious title recognises at County Hall with 25 schools attending. She the candidate’s excellence and potential in maintained and updated the WES careers stand for the practice of engineering. It highlights the many years when getting suitable inspiring pictures importance of having Chartered status; as well was very difficult. This asset was used by many as offering recognition to contributions made groups including the Verena Holmes Lectures and by the candidate to the promotion of the careers events. engineering profession. In 1983 Penny was Chair of London Branch and Mandy won the Award for her commitment helped with a number of events including Young to engineering, addressing sustainability in the water industry and inspiring Women Technician of the Year 1983 when she was current and future engineers. She has led numerous water treatment projects on the adjudicating committee. She was also WES since joining Atkins in 2015 and is currently designing a sustainable process representative to the Caroline Haslett Memorial Trust and organised the Verena Holmes Lecture Tour in for a water treatment system to supply safe, clean drinking water to a growing 1984. population in the water-stressed South East of England. It will be the UK’s first She was a London Branch Representative to new open water supply reservoir in 30 years. Mandy was presented with her Council and also served on Council in her own right. Award at the Caroline Haslett Lecture and Awards Evening, held on 30 October In later years Penny worked in schools and in London. Mandy is pictured at the event with Chair of the judging panel, Sally colleges in Greenwich, specialising in computing and Sudworth. mathematics. A more detailed report will be published in the next issue of The Woman Penny and her partner retired to Broadstairs. Our Engineer. condolences are extended to her family and friends. the woman engineer - winter 2019 1919 - 2019 7 PRESS RELEASE – 19 SEPTEMBER 2019
100 YEARS – 100100 Years WOMEN ENGINEERS Meet the Top 100 Historical Women in Engineering
WES founders RachelA list of Parsons 100 women and engineersLaura Annie from Willson history MBE, is released and today as part of a project to celebrate our first secretary,the Carolineachievements Haslett of womenDBE, are in amongstengineering the over esteemed the past 100 years. names included in a recently published list which celebrates the achievements ofExactly women a century in engineering ago, in 1919 over, an organisation the past 100 called years. the Women’s Engineering Society was formed to inspire, support and encourage women to become engineers, technicians, electricians, motor mechanics, construction workers, pilots, machine shop operatives, draughtswomen ... and every other type of engineer you 100 YEAR S –can 100think of. InWOMEN this centenary year, we ENGINEER celebrate the many women who S excelled – often against the odds – in these professions which often deliberately excluded Meet the Top 100women. Historical The 100 Years of WomenWomen in Engineering in campaignEngineering has identified the top 100 women engineers who have been influential in the UK in all engineering fields, who lived at some time between 1919 and 2019, and who are no longer with us. he 100 Years of Women in describes ‘Magnificent Women’ as TEngineering campaign has a: “remarkable tribute to the pioneers identified the top 100 women Thewho list paved includes the way founders for modern of the Women’s Engineering engineers who have been influential SocietyBritain” such, serving as asRachel a reminder Parsons of: and Laura Annie Willson in the UK in all engineering fields, “how far women have come, and a who lived at some time between MBE,source and of inspiration its first s forecretary how far ,we Caroline Haslett DBE, as well as 1919 and 2019, and who are no presidentsstill need to ofgo” the. society, including the pilot and engineer longer with us. Speaking about the campaign, The list also includes a number of AmyDawn Johnson Bonfield, and chair the of founderthe panel of the Electrical Association former WES Presidents, including forthat Wome chosen, the Ma 100bel Women, Matthews and . It includes well-known the pilot and engineer Amy Johnson Past President of WES said: “It has and the founder of the Electrical womenbeen inspiring from the to learn Second more Worldabout War period such as Tilly Association for Women, Mabel Shillingthese magnificent, who developed women thewho valve that prevented Merlin Matthews plus illustrious women were pioneers in their field and from the Second World War period engineshad to contendstalling with when not divingonly a ; and Hilda Lyon, who such as Beatrice Shilling, who developedlegal system the which ‘Lyon prevented Shape’ their used for the airship R101. developed the valve that prevented participation, but an engineering Merlin engines stalling when diving; Laura Annie Willson (1877-1942), Caroline Haslett (1895-1957) and profession which made it very and Hilda Lyon, who developed the MargaretIn the Partridge words (1891-1967) of judge Nina Baker, who was partdifficult of afor recent women heritage to succeed project in to ‘Lyon Shape’ used for the airship erectand a Engineering, blue plaque and to whose commemorate work the lifethe of workplace. Hilda Lyon Despite in Market these hostile We ighton, R101. conditions, many women did thrive, “It wouldcontributed be lovelyto the establishmentif local heritage of the groups could pick up some of these women and Among more recent examples are WISE campaign in 1982; and Elizabeth and that makes their stories even more Baroness Platt of Writtle, who has been celebrateKillick, the their first lives female through fellow of the the Heritagecompelling.” Blue Plaque scheme in the same way as a champion of Women in Science HildaRoyal Lyon Academy and Laura of Engineering, Annie Willson who have been commemorated during the past died in August 2019. year.”The list coincides with publication Whilst the project is a of a book charting the early years of Magnificent Women one, TheWES. list alsoMagnificent includes Women groups and theirof women , including the unnamed construction Revolutionary Machines by Henrietta the judges included WES workersHeald tellswho the rebuilt stories Waterlooof these Bridge duringmembers the Second and World the Society’s War, also known as thepioneering Ladies women' Bridge and, which their influence opened in 1945archives, and the were women used of Bletchleyto Park whose stories are on the engineering landscape during gather the information. cominga discouraging to light attime the for momentwomen in. this male-dominated profession, when – The aim is also to add the Amongin spite more of their recent tremendous examples work inare Baronessdetails Platt of Writtlemany , ofwho these has been a champion of Women in munitions factories during the First women engineers to a map ScienceWorld andWar –Engineering a successful attempt, and who was se workof contributed the UK and to thefeature establish themment of the WISE campaign in 198made2; and to outlawElizabeth the employmentKillick, the offirst female fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, who died in female engineers. all on Wikipedia as part of AugustProminent 2019. physicist Jess Wade the WES Centenary Trail. Beatrice Shilling The list coincides with publication of a book charting the early years of the Women’s Engineering Society. Magnificent Women and their Revolutionary Machines by Henrietta Heald tells the stories of these pioneering women and their influence on the engineering landscape during a discouraging timeTo for learn women inmore this male -dominatedvisit: profession, when – in spite of their tremendous work in www.magnificentwomen.co.uk/top-100-women.htmlmunitions factories during the First World War – a successful attempt was made to outlaw the employment of female engineers. 8 1919 - 2019 the woman engineer - winter 2019
Press Release – 100 Years, 100 Women Engineers