The Women’s Engineering Society is the oldest technical women’s organisation in the world, founded in 1919. WE have regional events and our mentoring programme MentorSET.
The Women’s Engineering Society is a professional, not-for-profit network of women engineers, scientists and technologists offering inspiration, support and professional development. Working in partnership, we campaign to encourage women to participate and achieve as engineers, scientists and as leaders.
WES was founded in 1919 by a small committee drawn from the National Council of Women, which was created during the 1914-18 war to get women into work to release men for the armed forces. This group of influential women had government backing to support women engineers who, although welcomed into the profession during World War 1, were under pressure at the end of the war to leave the workforce to release jobs for men returning from the forces. These women founded WES, not only to resist this pressure, but also to promote engineering as a rewarding job for women as well as men.
Founding members included wives of eminent engineers for example Lady Parsons, wife of Sir Charles. Famous members since then have included Amy Johnson, Dame Caroline Haslett, and Professor Daphne Jackson. Click here for a list of Presidents since 1919.
In that first year the Society’s Journal The Woman Engineer was published, appearing regularly ever since.
WES History Now and Then (Powerpoint show 669 KB)
A short booklet is available on the History of WES from the WES office. We have a tradition of making a difference. Our ‘spin out’ programmes led or stimulated by our pioneering members include:
- The Electrical Association for Women to train women in the use of electricity in the home
- British Women Pilots Association
- The Verena Holmes Trust and campaign to engage girls, launched 1969 - the first year of women in engineering
- Campaign and launch of WISE following year of women in engineering 2 in 1984
- Pilot and subsequent launch of Daphne Jackson TrustSpeaking Out (with WISE) handed over to STEM Ambassadors
- Campaign and dialogue to establish greater funding for the issues and ultimately formation of what was the UKRC for SET Women
2009 was our 90th Celebration Year. We are a continually evolving organisation and our latest plans are described in our new Business Plan (PDF)
The Conference is a great opportunity to connect with members and other technical women and catch up with how the world is changing. Once again the team have put together an informative and lively programme.
Sessions are relevant across all areas of the profession with:
- personal development workshops and plenty of opportunity for connecting, networking and inspiring the future women engineers.
- technical talks in a wide range of areas – infrastructure, sustainability and vehicles
- CPD breakfast briefings
We are delighted to have sponsorship from IET, Jaguar LandRover and Parsons Brinckerhof. Courtesy of JLR we have 12 student places to fill.
We are delighted to be able to let you know the early bird registration has been extended until 18 September and not only that if you bring a friend or colleague you can claim a 50% refund on the cheapest registration.
You can find out more about WES and also the latest events here at their website. http://conference.wes.org.uk
GI Jane Bootcamp is a residential women only week long course of high intensity physically training supported by an expert team of councillors & personal health coaches to help you achieve your goals whether physical or emotional. During your week long stay you will be provided with nutritionally balanced food and expert emotional support needed to tackle this inspiring yet tough challenge.
Susan Treadgold, Executive Development
Free employment law breakfast briefing from Women in Technology – Managing Long Term Sickness Absences – on Tuesday 5th July 2011, 8.30am to 10am, central London
Edna will be immediately recognised from her time on BBC1’s “The Apprentice” – she was the 7th finalist to be “fired”. Edna is one of the nation’s leading experts in Business Psychology. She is Director of her consultancy business – Agbarha People Consulting. She qualified as a Chartered Business Psychologist obtaining a 2:1 BSc with honours in Psychology from the University of East London in 1996; she then obtained an MSc in Occupational Psychology from the University of London in 1997. Edna went on to complete a third degree and obtained an MBA from Imperial College London in 2007. For her MBA dissertation, Edna was the only person in her class of 55 MBA executives to receive a personal award and distinction for her dissertation. Her research findings explored the psychology of traders and behavioural risk in the banking sector.
Location: The Dorchester Ballroom, Park Lane, WI
Set up in 2010 by Pimmi Pande-Jones, daughter of Bollywood filmmaker Vinod Pande, Ethique offers lifestyle management and concierge services with a unique, ethical twist. When customers use Ethique, they are offered ethical and sustainable products, brands and services, in comparison to their regular used service, wherever possible, and are gently introduced towards living a more ethically balanced lifestyle. If customers wish to become more committed, Ethique works with Sustainable Consultants to design a target based life plan that adopts ethical values.
On Tuesday 12th April, the long awaited Boisdale of Canary Wharf will open for an exclusive public preview in aid of Action Against Hunger.
All proceeds raised will go to Action Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organisation committed to ending child hunger. Recognised as a leader in the fight against malnutrition, Action Against Hunger saves the lives of malnourished children while providing communities with access to safe water and sustainable solutions to hunger. With 30 years of expertise in emergency situations of conflict, natural disaster and chronic food insecurity, Action Against Hunger runs life-saving programmes in over 40 countries benefitting some five million people each year.
4 April – Evening concert at the Historic Royal Palaces Banqueting House
Calling all female readers! Take part in Financial News’ annual Women in Finance Survey for a chance to win a magnum of champagne plus have your views counted!
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