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Purdue University. Women in Engineering Program

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1969-

Historical Information

The Purdue Women in Engineering Program was established in 1969 in response to the perceived lack of women students enrolled in engineering in spite of the successes of women engineers in other countries. The program was the first of its kind in the U.S., and is credited with providing a model for similar programs nationwide. The program worked to actively recruit women skilled in math and science from Indiana high schools and, later, elementary schools. In its outreach efforts, the program also attempted to improve general public knowledge about the engineering discipline and available career paths for graduates. In addition to recruiting, a second focus of the Women in Engineering Program was to provide support for existing female students in an effort to improve retention and graduation rates. These efforts included mentoring programs, grouping of women in classes, financial and personal support, and partnerships with the Purdue Student Section of the Society of Women Engineers. These efforts ultimately helped to improve both retention and graduation rates among female students in engineering. According to the Women in Engineering Program website, all of these efforts have resulted in the increased enrollment of women from one percent in 1969 to twenty-six percent in 2023.

Citation

UA 7, Purdue Women in Engineering Program records, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.

Citation

MSP 182, Purdue Society of Women Engineers records, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Women in Engineering Program records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 7
Scope and Contents The Women in Engineering Program records (1935-2012; 1.85 cubic feet) documents the creation of the program, as well as its activities and successes.  Also included in the collection is information on Dr. Lillian Gilbreth and the first woman to graduate in engineering at Purdue, Martha Dicks Stevens.  The records reflect the growth of the program over the years as well as the substantial increases in the number of women engineers that were attributed to the program.  The collection would be...
Dates: 1935-2012; Other: Majority of material found in 1970-2000; Other: Date acquired: 11/06/2012