10 Women Who Helped Build the World We Work In

When we talk about rail corridors, major roads and renewable energy, we’re building on foundations laid by some remarkable women. This International Women’s Day, we’re spotlighting ten engineers and technical pioneers whose work shaped civil infrastructure and the broader engineering world.

Olive Dennis

One of the first female civil engineers in the United States, Olive Dennis worked for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. She improved passenger rail travel by introducing practical design features like reclining seats, stain-resistant upholstery and better lighting. Her work focused on user experience long before that term was common.

Annie Easley

A mathematician and computer scientist at NASA (and its predecessor, NACA), Annie Easley developed and implemented code used in energy-conversion systems and early alternative power research, including battery technology. Her contributions supported advancements in aerospace and energy systems.

Hattie Scott Peterson

Hattie Peterson was the first African American woman civil engineer in the United States. She worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, contributing to flood control and infrastructure projects at a time when both her gender and race made entry to the profession incredibly difficult.

Florence Taylor

Florence Taylor was Australia’s first qualified female architect and a tireless advocate for town planning reform. She championed better transport links, multi-level road systems and urban design improvements that were decades ahead of their time.

Alice H. Parker

Alice Parker patented a natural gas–powered central heating system in 1919. Her design introduced the concept of zoned heating and significantly influenced the development of modern home heating systems.

Maria Telkes

Maria Telkes was a pioneer of solar energy. In 1948, she helped develop one of the first solar-heated houses in the United States, proving that renewable energy could power everyday life long before it became mainstream.

Elsie Eaves

Elsie Eaves was one of the first female members of the American Society of Civil Engineers. She worked in construction economics and data analysis, providing industry-wide insights on costs and production that informed better infrastructure planning.

Kate Gleason

Kate Gleason was the first woman elected to full membership of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. She was instrumental in promoting affordable concrete housing in the early 20th century, helping make durable homes more accessible.

Nora Stanton Barney

Nora Stanton Barney was among the first women in the United States to earn a civil engineering degree. She worked on structural design and was an early member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, advocating for women in the profession.

Emily Warren Roebling

When her husband fell ill during construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, Emily Roebling stepped in. She managed engineers, liaised with officials and oversaw critical technical decisions, playing a key role in delivering one of the world’s most iconic infrastructure projects.