Women’s Revolutionary Pioneering Engineer: Edith Clarke

By: Engineer's Planet

The inclusion of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is not only about diversity; it is the growth driver. The role of women and girls in STEM education is not just a critical but the necessary step to the progress of the world in many areas of global development. Women in the engineering world wrote and directed history using their natural abilities and created brand new paths that are currently changing the world.

Born in 1883, Edith Clarke, a Maryland native, defied societal norms, becoming a pioneering figure in STEM by utilizing her inheritance for advanced education.

1. Edith Clarke: A Trailblazing Pioneer

Graduating from Vassar College in 1908, Clarke taught mathematics and physics before studying civil engineering and later working as a "human computer" at AT&T.

2. Academic Journey and Early Career

3. Breaking Barriers in Electrical Engineering

Clarke became the first woman to earn a master’s degree in electrical engineering from MIT, significantly influencing the future of STEM with her groundbreaking achievements.

4. Innovating with the Clarke Calculator

Joining General Electric, Clarke revolutionized the industry by inventing the Clarke Calculator, a tool that advanced power grid technology and laid groundwork for smart grid systems.

In Conclusion, Edith Clarke's trailblazing achievements in engineering and her invention of the Clarke Calculator not only broke gender barriers but also revolutionized electrical engineering, setting the stage for future innovations and inspiring generations of women in STEM