From precolonial African societies to the modern diaspora, Black women have played a crucial role in engineering and technological advancements despite systemic barriers.
Before the transatlantic slave trade, African civilizations had highly developed engineering practices in fields such as:
- Architecture: Women in societies like Nubia, Great Zimbabwe, and West African empires contributed to architectural innovations, including mud brick construction, irrigation systems, and urban planning.
- Metalworking & Textiles: African women mastered techniques in iron smelting (the Kingdom of Kush) and developed complex textile industries (Kente weaving in Ghana and indigo dyeing in Mali).
- Agricultural Engineering: Women played a key role in terracing, irrigation, and crop cultivation techniques, ensuring food security and sustainability.
The Transatlantic Slave Trade and Enforced Labor (1600 – 1800s)
During the transatlantic slave trade, enslaved African women were forcibly brought to the Americas and the Caribbean, where they applied their engineering knowledge in:
- Agricultural Systems: Their expertise in irrigation, crop rotation, and soil management helped establish plantation economies.
- Ironworking & Masonry: African laborers, including women, were skilled in blacksmithing and masonry, contributing to the construction of colonial infrastructure.
- Domestic & Industrial Craftsmanship: Women engaged in textiles, woodworking, and pottery, often integrating African techniques into their work.
Despite their contributions, enslaved African women were rarely credited for their engineering knowledge, as colonial systems erased their intellectual labor.
Post-Emancipation & Industrial Era, Engineering in the Shadows (1865 – 1900s)
Following emancipation, Black women transitioned into roles that involved engineering-adjacent labor in domestic and industrial settings:
- Railroads & Manufacturing: Black women worked in factories, particularly in the railroad and textile industries, where they engaged in early forms of industrial engineering.
- Architecture & Infrastructure: In cities like Chicago and Philadelphia, Black women contributed to construction and design projects, though their contributions were often informal.
- HBCUs & Technical Education: Institutions like Tuskegee Institute and Howard University began training Black women in industrial sciences, laying the foundation for formal engineering careers.
One notable figure was Marie Van Brittan Brown, who, although not formally an engineer, invented the first home security system, an engineering feat that shaped modern security technology.
The Rise of African American Women Engineers (1900s – Present)
Despite exclusion from mainstream engineering programs, African American women persisted and made groundbreaking contributions:
World War II & the Hidden Figures Era (1940s – 1960s)
Dorothy Vaughan, Katherine Johnson, and Mary Jackson were NASA mathematicians and engineers who played a critical role in the U.S. space race. Black women engineers worked in aviation, shipbuilding, and weapons industries, applying engineering skills during wartime.
Civil Rights & the Growth of STEM (1960s – 1990s)
HBCUs expanded engineering programs, allowing more Black women to enter the field. Dr. Aprille Ericsson became the first Black woman to receive a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Howard University and contributed to NASA’s satellite technology.
Modern Era (2000s – Present)
Today, African American women continue to break barriers in all engineering disciplines, with leaders such as:
- Dr. Ayanna Howard, robotics engineer and AI expert
- Dr. Wanda Austin, former CEO of The Aerospace Corporation
- And many more
Despite progress, African American women still face underrepresentation in engineering, prompting ongoing efforts to increase diversity through STEM programs and advocacy.
Books on African Americans and Labor as Freedmen
Black Americans and Organized Labor: A New History
Authored by Paul D. Moreno, this book offers a reinterpretation of the role of race and racial discrimination in the American labor movement, analyzing how white unionists used race to control the labor supply.
For Jobs and Freedom: Race and Labor in America since 1865
Written by Robert H. Zieger, this work analyzes the position of African American workers in the U.S. economy and social order over the past century and a half, focusing on their efforts to gain equal rights in the workplace.
Workers on Arrival: Black Labor in the Making of America
Joe William Trotter, Jr., provides a comprehensive history of how African American workers have been central to the development of America, highlighting their contributions and struggles from the early days of the nation to the present.
Black Labor and the American Legal System: Race, Work, and the Law
Herbert Hill examines the legal aspects of racial discrimination in employment, exploring how laws have impacted African American labor and the ongoing struggle for equality in the workplace. These works provide valuable insights into the complex relationship between African Americans and labor in the United States, shedding light on the systemic challenges and the enduring fight for equality and justice in the workplace.
A Legacy of Engineering Excellence
From precolonial Africa to the present, African American women have been architects, builders, problem-solvers, and innovators, often without recognition. Their contributions to engineering, whether through agriculture, infrastructure, aerospace, or software development, have shaped global technological advancements.
Black female engineers, both historical and contemporary, have played critical roles in aerospace, computing, robotics, and industrial engineering. Despite barriers, they have pioneered groundbreaking technologies and continue to inspire future generations of engineers.
The Numbers
Determining the exact number of Black female engineers in the United States and Europe is challenging due to limited and inconsistent data. However, available statistics provide insight into their representation in the engineering field.
United States
- Overall Representation: Black women comprise approximately 1.6% of scientists and engineers in the U.S.A.
- Engineering Degrees: Over the past decade, Black women have consistently represented about 1% of engineering bachelor’s degree holders. [1]
- Workforce Participation: In 2019, 3% of engineers were Black or Latina women.
Europe
- United Kingdom: Black women make up 0.7% of the UK’s information technology workforce, despite constituting 1.8% of the overall workforce. [2][3]
- European Union: In 2021, there were 6.9 million female scientists and engineers in the EU, accounting for 41% of total employment in science and engineering. However, specific data on Black female engineers within this group is not readily available.
These figures highlight the underrepresentation of Black women in engineering across both regions. Efforts to improve diversity and inclusion in STEM fields are ongoing to address these disparities.
References
[1] https://cew.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/cew-fr-engineering.pdf
[2] https://www.engc.org.uk/news/news/coding-black-females-join-bcs/
[3] https://www.bcs.org/membership-and-registrations/member-communities/bcswomen-specialist-group/career-centre/bcs-the-chartered-institute-for-it-and-coding-black-females-cbf-offer-bcs-membership-bursaries/
Republished from: The Society of Women Engineers/ African American Affinity Group (AG)