From breaking barriers in the 1930s to pioneering AI today, meet extraordinary female engineers who shaped our world. Their groundbreaking work spans continents and generations – discover the inspiring stories behind these STEM trailblazers!
It’s no secret that engineering has traditionally been a male-dominated field, and the numbers tell a sobering story.
According to the National Science Board’s 2023 report, females make up just 16.5% of engineers in the U.S. The picture is similar in the U.K., where Engineering UK’s 2023 report shows only 14% of engineers are female.
In Australia, the statistics are equally concerning. Engineers Australia’s 2022 Workforce Report revealed that they account for just 13.2% of the engineering workforce, despite making up 18.4% of engineering university enrollments. Even more striking, only 8% of engineering technologists are female.
Globally, the UNESCO 2021 Science Report found that fewer than 30% of STEM researchers worldwide are of the “fairer sex”, with engineering consistently showing the lowest representation across all scientific disciplines.
But here’s the good news: despite these systemic challenges, females have been making incredible contributions to engineering for nearly a century. The U.S. Census Bureau shows we’ve come a long way since 1970 when they represented just 3% of engineers – today that number stands at nearly 17%.
Though as Harvard Business Review’s 2022 analysis reminds us, there’s still work to be done, with 40% of females leaving engineering mid-career, nearly twice the rate of their male colleagues.
In Australia, we’re seeing gradual progress. Engineers Australia reports that female engineering enrollments have grown from 14.8% in 2017 to 18.4% in 2021. But with workplace representation still lagging at 13.2%, the achievements of ladies in engineering become even more remarkable.
That’s why we’re celebrating these six extraordinary ladies who’ve defied the odds to transform their fields.
From Kitty O’Brien Joyner fighting for her place in 1930s engineering programs to modern innovators like Sherin Thomas shaping today’s AI landscape, their stories show us what’s possible when talent meets determination.
1. Kitty O’Brien Joyner (1916-1993) – Electrical & Aeronautical Engineering
The First Lady of NASA Engineering: Joyner made history in 1939 as the first in this sexual demographic to graduate from the University of Virginia’s engineering program, fighting legal barriers designed to exclude ladies. She spent her career at NACA (NASA’s predecessor), contributing to critical wind tunnel and supersonic flight research that paved the way for space exploration.
2. Gozde Ustuner – Mechanical & Automotive Engineering
Clean Energy Innovator: As both a professor and researcher, Ustuner is advancing hydrogen fuel cell technology to create more sustainable transportation solutions. Her work addresses one of mechanical engineering’s most pressing challenges: decarbonizing vehicles.
3. Madona S. Wambua – Software Engineering
From Nairobi to Silicon Valley: Wambua’s journey from watching planes in Kenya to becoming a New York-based software engineer exemplifies global STEM excellence. She now focuses on increasing diversity in tech through mentorship and advocacy programs.
4. Patrizia Carpentier – Civil & Blast Engineering
Making Structures Safer: After witnessing terrorist attacks in Istanbul, Carpentier dedicated her career to developing blast-resistant structures. Her innovations in protective design have made buildings and public spaces more secure worldwide.
5. Ogechi Vivian Nwadiaru – Industrial Engineering
Energy Equity Champion: Nwadiaru’s research at UMass Amherst focuses on developing energy storage solutions that prioritize accessibility for low-income communities—bridging technical innovation with social impact.
6. Andressa Ojeda – Aerospace Engineering
Brazil’s Future Astronaut: Ojeda aims to become Brazil’s first female astronaut while inspiring countless students through STEM outreach. Her work demonstrates how aerospace engineering can ignite dreams across generations.
A Legacy of Innovation Across Generations
These six women represent different eras and engineering disciplines, but share common threads of perseverance and brilliance. The historical figures among them opened doors that today’s engineers walk through, while contemporary innovators continue pushing boundaries.
Their collective stories reveal how far women in engineering have come—and how much potential remains untapped. From Joyner fighting to attend engineering school in the 1930s to Thomas developing cutting-edge AI systems today, each has expanded what’s possible for women in STEM.
As we celebrate these accomplishments, we’re reminded that engineering progress depends on diverse perspectives. These women’s achievements—whether from last century or last year—inspire future generations to build, create, and innovate without limits.
Breaking Ground: EIT Supports Women in Engineering
The Engineering Institute of technology (EIT) recently hosted a podcast titled “Women in Engineering”.
In this conversation, EIT Deputy Dean, Indumathi V, and Dr. Arti Siddhpura, the institution’s Mechanical Engineering Course Coordinator and Senior Lecturer, unpacked the experiences of women in engineering.
They shared their journeys into the field, discuss workplace challenges and industry misconceptions, and explore ways to break barriers.
Tune into the episode for valuable insights, advice for aspiring female engineers, and a conversation on fostering greater gender diversity in engineering.
References
Women Engineers You Should Know — 2024
