Response to the Extraordinary Women Engineers Project

Make a Gift to the Extraordinary Women Engineers Project

Virginia (Ginny) Darrell, P.E.
Regional Engineer
Washington State Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water
Spokane, Washington

"My own experience of choosing engineering for a career was a turkey trail. ... I had no counseling regarding career options. ... In my 30s, I was fortunate to work in the Alaskan oilfield. The magnitude of the engineering involved in extracting oil and gas and bringing it to the world impressed me deeply. ... It was then that I decided to return to college and earn an engineering degree. ... I have now worked as an engineer for nearly 12 years. Becoming an engineer was the second best decision I have ever made. [It seems I was lucky to make a good choice on a husband, too!]."

Lisa W. Larson, P.E.
Associate
Northwest Hydraulic Consultants
Seattle, Washington

"I've read more than one article lately that addresses the shortage of women and minorities in engineering. Encouraging more women into the profession in college is a step in the right direction."

Melinda Luna, P.E.
Senior Engineer
Lower Colorado River Authority
Austin, Texas

"I think that encouraging females into engineering comes at a very early age. I was about 6 years old when I decided that an engineer was what I wanted to be. My daughter has been exposed to what engineers do, and at the age of 4, started to say that she wanted to be an engineer."

Elise H. McGough
Engineer
McGough & Associates Inc.
Northville, Michigan

"Our country is badly in need of young engineers, so women must be encouraged to fill that deficiency. The EWEP should go a long way to motivate young women to enter the profession. When I graduated with a degree in civil engineering 57 years ago, I was the first woman to graduate from the University of Detroit Mercy - College of Engineering and Science. In fact, I was the only woman enrolled in that college of engineering for three of the five years that I was a student. ... Today it is not unusual to see women project managers and administrators, leaders in the field. During these 57 years women have proven themselves and today their opportunities are endless. I am sure that the Extraordinary Women Engineers Project will entice many more women to enter the profession and fill our country's need."

Helen Migchelbrink, P.E.
County Engineer
Eagle, Colorado

"The barriers to women that exist in our profession are there primarily because of a lack of understanding."

Jack Moore, P.E.
Director of Engineered Applications
Big River Industries
Alpharetta, Georgia

"As a father of two daughters, I was gratified to read the historical perspective and your vision for encouraging minorities and specifically women to choose the engineering profession. ... I agree with your assessment that most of us can benefit from role models during our most impressionable years. In the very male-dominated field of civil engineering, increasing the number of women professors would go a long way in exposing young women to what would hopefully be excellent role models."

Sue Rasmussen, P.E.
Senior Design Engineer
USFilter's Envirex Products
Waukesha, Wisconsin

"I tell girls when I speak about career choices that engineering is a great place to be challenged, to contribute and to make a good salary."

Lee L. Wolfe, P.E.
Project Structural Engineer
URS Corporation
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

"You have addressed a topic that impacts me greatly. I truly hope that by the time my daughter is grown and considering a career, the profession will be more inviting to her. I am trying to do my part by contributing to the Extraordinary Women Engineers Project."