Katharine Stinson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Katharine Stinson
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| Born | September 18, 1917 |
| Died | July 29, 2001 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | North Carolina State University |
| Engineering career | |
| Discipline | aeronautical engineering |
| Employer(s) | Federal Aviation Administration |
| Projects | air worthiness |
| Significant design | supersonic transport standards |
| Awards | FAA Sustained Performance Award (1961), Distinguished Women in the Aerospace Industry Award (1984), the Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' Aviation Pioneer of the Year and Aerospace Engineer of the Year awards (1987 and 1988). |
Katharine Stinson (born 1917, died 2001) was an amazing American engineer. She was the very first female engineer to work for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). She helped make airplanes safer for everyone.
Contents
Early Life and Dreams
Katharine was born in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. This was just 14 years after the Wright Brothers made their first flight! She loved airplanes from a young age. A flight with famous pilot Eddie Stinson (no relation) made her want to fly too.
When she was 15, Katharine worked at the Raleigh Municipal Airport. She met the famous pilot Amelia Earhart there. Katharine told Amelia about her dream to become a pilot. Amelia told her to study engineering instead. She said Katharine would earn more money as an engineer.
Becoming an Engineer
Katharine took Amelia Earhart's advice. She studied physics in high school. Then she applied to the engineering program at North Carolina State College.
In 1936, the dean of the engineering school, Wallace Riddick, turned her down. He told her the college did not accept women as first-year students. Katharine didn't give up! She accepted a scholarship to Meredith College nearby. She finished all her required classes in just one year.
The next fall, she enrolled in the engineering program at North Carolina State. She was one of the few female students there. She was the only female in the engineering department. In 1941, she graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. She was the first woman to do so at that college. Only five women in the entire country earned an engineering degree that year!
A Career in Aviation Safety
After college, Katharine became the first female engineer hired by the Civil Aviation Administration. This agency later became the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). She worked there for 32 years.
Katharine focused on making airplanes safer. She helped create safety rules for very fast planes called supersonic transports. These rules were used to build the Concorde airplane. She also helped share information about airplane parts and their safety. She retired from the FAA in 1974. Her last job was Technical Assistant to the Chief of Aircraft Engineering.
Helping Other Women
Katharine was very active in groups that supported women. She was part of the Ninety-Nines: International Organization of Women Pilots. She also helped start the Society of Women Engineers. She was even the president of this group from 1953 to 1955.
From 1964 to 1970, she served on President Lyndon B. Johnson's Women's Advisory Committee on Aviation. She was also an officer in the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences. Katharine was also president of the Soroptimist Club from 1970 to 1972.
In 1967, Katharine spoke at a big meeting in Cambridge, UK. It was called the International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists. She talked about how airplanes could help with food production.
Recognition and Awards
In 1997, North Carolina State University honored Katharine. They named her a distinguished alumnus. They also named Katharine Stinson Drive on campus after her.
Here are some of the awards she received:
- FAA Sustained Performance Award (1961)
- North Carolina State University College of Engineering Distinguished Alumni (1977) – she was the first woman to get this award!
- Distinguished Women in the Aerospace Industry Award (1984)
- Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' Aviation Pioneer of the Year (1987)
- Aerospace Engineer of the Year awards (1988)
