Claudette MacKay-Lassonde facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Claudette MacKay-Lassonde
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| Born | July 2, 1948 |
| Died | June 15, 2000 (aged 51) |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Spouse(s) | Pierre Lassonde |
| Children | 2 |
Claudette MacKay-Lassonde (born July 2, 1948 – died June 15, 2000) was a super important Canadian engineer. She made history by becoming the very first woman president of the Professional Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario. This organization helps make sure engineers in Ontario are well-trained and follow high standards.
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Claudette MacKay-Lassonde: A Trailblazing Engineer
Claudette MacKay was born in Montreal, Canada, on July 2, 1948. Her parents were Thérèse and Raymond MacKay. She later married another engineer, Pierre Lassonde. They had two children, a daughter named Julie and a son named Christian.
Her Amazing Education Journey
Claudette loved learning! She went to the École polytechnique de Montréal. In 1971, she earned her degree in chemical engineering. Then, she traveled to the University of Utah in 1973. There, she earned a master's degree in nuclear engineering. She continued her studies at the University of Toronto. In 1983, she graduated with an MBA, which is a Master of Business Administration.
Working Life and Leadership Roles
Throughout her career, Claudette MacKay-Lassonde worked for many different companies. These included Xerox, Hydro Ontario, and Northern Telecom. She also worked for the Government of Ontario. She was a leader on the boards of several companies. Being on a board means she helped make important decisions for those businesses. She was also recognized as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering. This is a special honor for engineers.
Championing Women in Engineering
Claudette was passionate about helping other women. She wanted more girls and women to become engineers. She helped start an organization called Women in Science and Engineering (WISE). She even spoke at their very first meeting!
In 1986, she became the first woman president of the Professional Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario. This was a huge step for women in engineering!
Creating a Lasting Legacy
Claudette also created the Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation. She started this foundation after a sad event in 1989. This event happened at her old school, the École Polytechnique. The foundation helps students who want to study engineering. It especially supports women in engineering.
She also created the Women in Engineering Advisory Committee. This group helps guide and support women in the engineering field. Claudette worked hard to make sure women had great opportunities in engineering.
Recognized for Her Contributions
Claudette MacKay-Lassonde's impact is still remembered today. A special building at the École Polytechnique in Montreal is named after her. It is called the Claudette-MacKay-Lassonde pavilion. This was named in her honor after a generous gift helped build it. There is also a special award for doctoral students named after her. A chair in Mineral Engineering is also named in her honor.
Claudette MacKay-Lassonde passed away in Toronto in 2000. She left behind a powerful legacy. She inspired many people, especially women, to pursue careers in engineering.
