How Women Have Shaped Major Industries Like Manufacturing
There’s a common misconception out there that women don’t, or shouldn’t, work in manufacturing. At Jesco, you’ll know how we couldn’t disagree more. As a member of , we want to talk about how women have and continue to shape the manufacturing industry. If you’re interested in learning about a rewarding, profitable, and fulfilling future in manufacturing for yourself or your daughter, keep reading.
Women in History
From the early years of working on lines to today’s custom fabrications and material handling equipment, women have been a part of the manufacturing and engineering community since the beginning. Here are just a couple of major stories that will leave your head spinning:
In 1947, Maria Telkes created the first 100% solar-powered house and helped pave the way for future thermoelectric opportunities alongside the United States Department of Energy.
Dr. Nancy D. Fitzroy broke barriers, stereotypes, and limitations as one of the first engineers to work on the heat transfer of nuclear reactor cores.
Yvonne C. Brill received a National Medal of Technology and Innovation for her invention of a hydrazine resistojet that used a single propellent and helped rockets remain in orbit for a longer period of time.
Lillian Moller Gilbreth was a mother of twelve children (yes, 12!) while also being renowned for her studies in industrial psychology and engineering. No one told this woman what she could and couldn’t accomplish, just like no one should tell you.
For more on the history of Women in manufacturing, check out the History of Jesco >>
Women Welders
Yes, women weld!
And they don’t just weld, they help keep most of our everyday infrastructures afloat.
Things like bridges, highways, and industrial lines need service repairs over time, which often means new welds too. The , Bureau of Labor Statistics, reported that more and more welders will be needed as the former welding generation reaches retirement.
The need for more welders has sparked things like , Detroit’s own welding movement. The job is something that has high stereotype walls, but women are completely capable of doing and enjoying it. Not to mention getting paid well for it either.
Women Leading S.T.E.M. Related Fields
Gender stereotypes often assign women to things like art, dance, and theater while leaving men to do math and science. We’d like to express how that stereotype is damaging and flat out wrong.
If you come to Jesco, there’s a good chance you’ll meet Bonny DesJardin.
Bonny takes great pride as the President of Jesco, but she’s not alone as a woman leader. All over the world, women leaders oversee major powerhouse companies, and not just in manufacturing either.
Rather than perpetuate an untrue narrative about being only for men, we’d like to help showcase some of the world’s most influential women in S.T.E.M. industries. Here are just a few names to boast about:
- MaryAnn Wright – Vice President of Engineering and Production Development at .
- Gwynne Shotwell – Chief Operations Officer at (you know, that advanced rocket and spacecraft manufacturer that’s making more advancements in interstellar travel than anyone else…)
- Ginni Rometty – CEO of . Need we say more?
- Judy Faulkner – A tech wizard, Judy is the CEO and Founder of , a leading medical-record software provider.
- Mary Barra – The CEO of General Motors (yep, the global automaker.)
- Karen Norheim – The Executive Vice President at American Crane.
- Veronica Braker – The Vice President of Operations and Performance Materials at .
- Elizabeth Barry – The CEO and President of Delta Systems Inc.
- Marillyn Hewson – The Chairman, President, and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation
Whenever someone says women should stay out of S.T.E.M. related fields, they clearly don’t know what they’re talking about. Women have been major players, power figures, and influencers in shaping today’s industrial age.
We could go on and on and on talking about all the women who have done—and are still doing—incredible things in industries people often associate men to. We hope this read either encourages you, or a loved one, that you have the potential to seize a rewarding, engaging, and profitable job in any industry.
Want More from Jesco?
If you’re looking for more of our content or want to learn more about what we do, head on over to our blog page. If you have any questions about our products or would like to request a quote, feel free to reach out and contact us online or by phone at (1-800) 455-0019. As your international manufacturing provider, Jesco Industries can’t wait to work with you.
