Today, June 23rd, is International Women in Engineering Day, a day to celebrate the incredible contributions of women to the field of engineering. It’s a time to recognize their achievements, which have historically been overlooked, and to inspire the next generation of girls to pursue careers that literally shape our world.
While we honor the legacies of pioneers like Hedy Lamarr and Edith Clarke, it’s equally important to shine a light on the women who are actively solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges right now. These are the women designing sustainable cities, pioneering medical breakthroughs, trailblazing aerospace, and sending new technologies to the far reaches of our solar system.
In celebration, here are five phenomenal female engineers, leading the charge and building a better future for us all.
1. Dr. April Ericsson: A Pioneer in Aerospace Engineering
Dr. April Ericsson is a trailblazing aerospace engineer who has had a storied career at NASA and currently serves as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology. Her work has been crucial to numerous space missions, and she holds the distinction of being the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University and the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in Engineering at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).
Why she’s a trailblazer: Throughout her 30+ years at NASA, Dr. Ericsson has been an instrument project manager for missions that include the James Webb Space Telescope and the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2). Her engineering expertise in attitude control systems has helped ensure that satellites maintain their correct path in orbit. Beyond her technical achievements, she is a fierce advocate for STEM education, actively mentoring young women and minority students to pursue careers in science and engineering.
2. Dr. Hayat Sindi: Innovating for Global Health
Dr. Hayat Sindi is a Saudi Arabian biotechnologist, medical scientist, and one of the world’s leading innovators in the field of point-of-care diagnostics. She was one of the first female members of the Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia and is the founder of Diagnostics For All, an organization dedicated to creating low-cost, easy-to-use diagnostic devices for people in developing nations.
Why she’s a trailblazer: Dr. Sindi’s work combines advanced biotechnology with a deep commitment to social good. Her team develops diagnostic tools that require no electricity or trained technicians, making it possible to test for diseases like liver failure or HIV in the most remote corners of the globe. Her approach to engineering is a powerful reminder that innovation should serve humanity.
3. Marillyn Hewson: Leading the Frontier of Defense and Technology
Marillyn Hewson, the former Chairman, President, and CEO of Lockheed Martin, is a giant in the aerospace and defense industry. With a degree in business administration and a background in industrial engineering, she has managed some of the most complex and technologically advanced engineering projects in the world, including the F-35 Lightning II program.
Why she’s a trailblazer: Hewson’s strategic leadership at the helm of a Fortune 500 company demonstrated immense business acumen and a deep understanding of engineering’s role in national security and technological advancement. She championed investments in hypersonics, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing, ensuring that engineering continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
4. Dr. Mae C. Jemison: From Space to STEM Education
While many know Dr. Mae C. Jemison as the first African American woman to travel to space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992, her career as an engineer and physician is just as remarkable. After her time at NASA, she founded the Jemison Group, a technology consulting firm that integrates social and cultural issues into engineering design. She also leads the 100 Year Starship project, a DARPA-funded initiative to ensure human space travel to another star is possible within the next century.
Why she’s a trailblazer: Dr. Jemison has seamlessly blended a multitude of disciplines—engineering, medicine, social science, and dance—to forge a unique and impactful career. Her current work focuses on fostering a new generation of problem-solvers, advocating for a “science literacy” that empowers people to think critically and creatively. She proves that an engineering mindset can be applied to solve challenges far beyond the traditional scope of the field.
5. Reshma Saujani: Building an Army of Female Coders
While she may not have a traditional engineering degree, Reshma Saujani has engineered one of the most significant social movements in technology today. As the founder of Girls Who Code, she has created a global nonprofit that aims to close the gender gap in technology. The organization has reached hundreds of thousands of girls across the world, teaching them computing skills and creating a supportive network of future female engineers and developers.
Why she’s a trailblazer: Saujani recognized a systemic problem—the underrepresentation of women in tech—and engineered a solution. Her work is a form of social engineering, building new pipelines for talent and transforming the culture of the tech industry from the ground up. She has shown that engineering principles—problem identification, iterative design, and scaling solutions—can be used to build a more equitable world.
These five women are just a small sample of the millions of female engineers driving innovation today. EnCorps will continue to do it’s part to shape tomorrow’s top engineering leaders through our programs and mentorship. Today, let’s celebrate the work, share the stories, and commit to building a world where any girl who wants to build, design, or solve a problem sees a clear path to becoming an engineer!
If you’re interested in teaching or tutoring our future engineers, get in touch with us!