In the past few decades, women in America have forged a path of incredible progress. Uplifting and celebrating women from all walks of life is one important way to salute this progress and show solidarity with the unflagging press for equality, especially in the face of the infuriating women’s-rights setbacks of recent years.  

Yesterday was one of 365 days to show support for women’s abilities, aspirations and contributions, this time celebrating the strides women have made in the field of engineering. Marked annually on June 23rd, International Women in Engineering Day honors the outstanding achievements of women engineers and encourages more girls and women to pursue careers in engineering.

Give Lively proudly recognizes our own women engineers: Alexandra Lunga-Ceban, Annabel Heidt, Hanna Koh, Sam Auciello and Traci Thompson. 

Being a woman in tech means enjoying working in progressive companies, pushing my limits, and always craving new knowledge. Sometimes I feel far from perfect, but other times I'm proud of the small achievements that help me grow. It shows that with hard work and a passion for new technologies, anything is possible.
‍- Alexandra Lunga-Ceban, Give Lively QA Engineer

Some history

International Women in Engineering Day started as a UK-based campaign from the Women’s Engineering Society in 2014, received UNESCO patronage in 2016 and became an internationally recognized day the following year. The Women’s Engineering Society (WES) also has its roots in the UK, founded in 1919, when women who had been employed in technical fields during the First World War found it difficult, if not impossible, to continue working as engineers. “A change in the law to return women engineers to the home just as their sisters were admitted into the civil service and legal professions, led to the establishment of WES by pioneering and influential women,” reads the International Women in Engineering website. 

Since then, change has been marked, but still slow. According to the Society of Women Engineers, an American professional organization, there has been an increase in the number of women working in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields in the United States, but it varies significantly from field to field, with engineering falling behind life science occupations such as biological sciences, where parity has been reached. Notably, representation is even lower for Black and Asian women in engineering fields. 

Being a woman in engineering makes me feel special because I know we are a minority. It also makes me feel proud because I remember how behind I felt when I first entered this field in college. I’m proud of myself for pushing through all the self-doubt to get to where I am today!
- Hanna Koh, Give Lively Senior Software Engineer

Debunking dumb gender myths

People declare myriad reasons for unequal gender representation in engineering. Many cite the – highly inaccurate – fiction that women simply aren’t interested or skilled enough to enter the engineering field. 

“[R]acism and sexism are still very much alive in both engineering and society at large, which pushes women and Black, Hispanic and Indigenous people away from engineering,” wrote Kate McAlpine for the University of Michigan Michigan Engineering News. “We don’t know how many would choose engineering if they were supported in this pursuit the way that white and Asian men are. What we do know is that making the assumption of inferiority entrenches existing racism and sexism in the field.” 

My favorite part about being an engineer is that I essentially get to solve puzzles all day! As someone who spends much of their free time playing logical, mathematical and word-based games, I feel so lucky to have found a career that caters to my passion for problem-solving. I love that Give Lively encourages engineers to collaborate because finding a solution is even more rewarding when you can share the success!
- Annabel Heidt, Give Lively Software Engineer

Let freedom ring

I recently learned about the Engineer’s Ring (in the United States): a stainless steel ring, worn on the fifth finger of the working hand so it touches everything the engineer does. It serves as a reminder of the Obligation of an Engineer, an oath to serve humanity and the public good. It made me think of wedding rings, one token of traditional marriage and what some people these days would like women to view again as the ultimate prize, one to be valued over vocational contributions to the world. 

While not all engineers, female or male, wear a physical reminder of their responsibilities, their professional impact is valuable, visible and indelible. I think you’ll agree that the influence the women engineers at Give Lively have made on the nonprofit world is clear for all to see. We and the nonprofit community we serve benefit from our team’s intelligence, skill, tenacity and perseverance, despite all the obstacles they likely faced. 

June 23rd, 24th and every other day, Give Lively supports women’s choices – professionally, politically and personally – whether they are for a wedding band, an Engineer’s Ring, both or neither. 

Being an engineer at Give Lively enables me to make an impact that scales. Every day my work helps to support nonprofits in so many meaningful ways. My advice for aspiring engineers is to find what you're passionate about and use that as your guiding light when making career choices.
- Traci Thompson, Give Lively Senior Software Engineer