The Importance of Women in Industry
Globally and locally women in industry have been making their mark through the ages. Many women find the excitement in fields such as construction and mining attractive.
Women are valued and empowered in these sectors. Their perspective differs from their male colleagues, which helps with problem-solving. Men recognise that women bring unique skill sets and viewpoints to previously male-dominated fields.
Women have valuably progressed the industrial sector and continue to do so. In honour of Women’s Month, we look at some of the outstanding contributions of women to industry.
“Don’t be afraid of being the only woman in the room because many times you will be. It’s still very much a man’s profession, but I’ve never had anything but support from men who welcomed women into the industry. Ask questions and learn as much as you can from them.” – Julie Austin
The History of women in industry and Science
The Prophet of the Computer Age
Ada Lovelace, daughter of famous poet Lord Byron, was a talented and visionary mathematician. In 1843 she published a document that detailed the idea of computation. Ada is heralded as ‘the first programmer’ and was instrumental in forming the foundation of how computers work.
The Industrial Revolution
Amid the industrial revolution, women in the U.S. town of Lowell, New England, assumed work posts. Previously, women working outside of the home was unusual, much less in factories.
In Lowell, investors in textile mills instructed recruiters to seek out young women for the work. The women of Lowell set a precedent for women as wage earners within an industry setting.
Image source: https://www.computerhistory.org/babbage/adalovelace
Image: Marie Curie Statue in Poland
Marie Curie
To this day, Marie Curie is the only person to receive Nobel prizes for two different sciences.
She was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1903 for her studies into spontaneous radiation. Eight years later, she was awarded the 1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her discovery of radium and polonium.
This made Curie the first person in history to win two separate Nobel Prizes.
World War II
With all able-bodied men away in the war, there was a shortage of workers. Women in the allied countries rose to the occasion, occupying any job required. From factory jobs in defence plants to streetcar “conductorettes”, they stepped into the shoes of their male counterparts.
Women around the world took the opportunity to learn new skills, such as fixing cars. They proved themselves so capable that General Eisenhower felt he needed them in the military.
Within the American army, women drove trucks, repaired aeroplanes, worked as laboratory technicians, rigged parachutes and served as radio operators. They flew military aircraft across the country and test-flew newly repaired planes—a few of the very brave and dedicated even trained anti-aircraft artillery gunners by acting as flying targets.
“As work organisations diversify, the manufacturing sector holds the greatest opportunity for women to add value by thinking differently. If that is not enough, it is also our greatest chance to accessorise while working with Google glasses, bionic vests, smartwatches and steel-toed shoes” – Peggy Gulick
South African Women in Industry
Priscilla Mdlalose – CEO of the Council of the Built Environment
Priscilla Mdlalose, the CEO of the Council of the Built Environment, works towards the inclusion of women in construction. Priscilla has a Masters degree in Town and Regional Planning from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and holds the development of the African continent close to her heart.
Deshnee Naidoo – Mining Industry Advisor
“I stayed in the industry because it became my passion and purpose.”
Deshnee Naidoo is the former CFO of Anglo American Thermal Coal. She is now a Mining Industry Advisor and is a strong driving force behind the Women in Mining Project. Naidoo is an insightful and exceptionally experienced woman bringing about change in the Minerals Council of South Africa.
Image Source: https://miningindaba.com/Speaker-list/deshneenaidoo
Encouraging Young Women
For the most part, girls and young women have little knowledge of jobs in the industrial sector. Many industry greats, both male and female, emphasise the importance of encouraging young women to investigate the industrial sector. It is imperative to stress the wide range of jobs available. We must teach the future female generation that gender does not dictate what they can and cannot do.
Women are progressively becoming more prominent in industry thanks to ongoing support. From mining to factory work, women can bring skills to the table that continue to improve the sector. Delta Health and Safety backs women in industry. We provide female-specific PPE and support female-owned businesses such as Kappler.
Consider reaching out this Women’s Month and introducing some of South Africa’s young women to the industrial sector.