We asked our NIU SWE members about who inspires them. Take a look at what some of our members had to say.
“I’m a 4th year mechanical engineering major planning on pursuing a career in the aerospace industry. One of my inspirations in engineering is Camille Elizabeth, better know as thegalacticegal. Camille is an engineer and advocate for women in engineering and space. She used her engineering background to create a social media platform to help spread awareness around issues in engineering today and to talk about current space events. She also uses her social media to highlight her work outfits and show off a more business casual yet trendy wardrobe for women in engineering! Her promotion of women in engineering and space on her platform is an inspiration to me because it highlights that women don’t need to change themselves to fit into engineering.and be taken seriously in their roles.” - Courtney Shimp
"Someone who has inspired me to keep going in STEM is The Space Gal. She is an extraordinary person with an unquenchable love for space travel and scientific research. She has gained notoriety in the astrophysics and astronomy fields thanks to her intense curiosity and profound comprehension of the cosmos. Her positive lights has won over the hearts and minds of numerous enthusiasts all around the world thanks to her engaging and approachable style of science communication. She inspires me by bringing the grandeur of the cosmos closer to everyone through her simple yet informative videos filled with information that the average person wouldn’t get. She is a true supporter of the exploration of space and an inspiration to all aspiring young girls who look up at the sky and wonder what’s beyond!" -Aleena
"Early on in my education, I was in a world full of male teachers, counselors, and students. Very quickly I got discouraged and confused as I saw the lack of representation of women in STEM at my school. I decided to research women in Engineering and I came across Georgianna Yvonne Young Clark, P.E. Yvonne Clark earned the breakthrough of many firsts as she became the first women to receive a mechanical engineering degree from Howard University in 1951, the first African American member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) in 1952, the first African American women engineer hired at the Ford Motor Company Glass plant in 1971, and much more. After learning about her story and the barriers she had to face during the time of segregation and sexism, I felt encouraged as a woman of color to continue my journey in Engineering. She was a true pioneer for women to succeed in engineering careers and left an impactful legacy that continues to inspire women today" - Ashely Caracheo
“I’m a fourth-year mechanical engineering student-athlete at NIU and my inspirational role model is Katherine Johnson. Mrs. Johnson was the first black female engineer to work for NASA. In May 1961, she did trajectory analysis for the Alan Shepard's Freedom 7 mission (America’s first human space flight). She is renowned for checking the computer's calculations for John Glenn's historic maiden orbital voyage by an American in February 1962, at a period when digital computers were still relatively new and untested. Johnson overcame many setbacks including the adversity she faced in her office with her peers and the rejection of her competency by her peers and bosses. Johnson’s calculations are still, to this day, viewed as the biggest breakthroughs in aerospace/aeronautics history. Her ability to face adversity and overcome judgment is what inspires me every day in my mechanical engineering career as women in a man-led field. “ - Emily Romancew
"My inspiration is not just one person but a whole community. There has always been someone along my engineering journey that has told me their stories and achievements, One great example would be at SWELocal 2023 in DETROIT. I met many women who are in different positions in their life and had amazing journeys along with those historical women in the past that was talked about. My mom, teachers/professor, lifelong friends, classmates, SWE members, engineering influencers, and the list continues in which all of these STEM women has inspired me everyday from a young age to who I am today." -Cielo Ruiz-Palacios
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