The month of March is designated as Women’s History Month and coincides with International Women’s Day on March 8. It was created to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.
IEI joins in the celebration of National Women’s History month to recognize the monumental impact that women have made across the globe (and at IEI) in a variety of fields, particularly related to science and engineering. The 2023 Women’s History Month theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”
In 1946, Hattie Scott Peterson was the first African American woman in the U.S. to earn a degree in civil engineering. She graduated from Howard University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, started her career with the US Geological Survey and then succeeded on to become the first African American woman engineer in the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE). She was a pioneer in working with flood risk reduction projects in California.
Peterson was an advocate for women pursuing engineering careers. When she passed in 1993, she left an endowment for Howard University in her and her husband’s names. She is a woman who created a legacy of inspiration and opportunity for women and people of color.
IEI looks to the example of visionaries like Peterson and creates opportunities for new generations to tell their stories through their work. We are committed to enhancing gender diversity in the AEC industry and are proud of the contributions that women make to the success of our firm!
For more information about Women’s History Month, visit womenshistorymonth.gov