Rachel Mary Parsons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rachel Mary Parsons
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Parsons in 1923
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| Born | 25 January 1885 10 Connaught Place London, England
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| Died | 2 July 1956 (aged 71) Lansdown House, Newmarket, England
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| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | Newnham College, Cambridge University |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Engineering, politics, women's rights |
Rachel Mary Parsons (born 1885, died 1956) was an amazing engineer and a strong supporter of women's rights to work. She was the first president of the Women's Engineering Society in Britain, which she helped start on June 23, 1919.
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Growing Up and Early Life
Rachel Mary Parsons was born in 1885. Her father, Charles Algernon Parsons, was a famous inventor. He created the steam turbine, which changed how we generate power. Her mother was Katharine.
Rachel grew up in a family that loved engineering and science. Her grandmother, Mary Rosse, and grandfather, William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, were also interested in these fields. This family background helped Rachel develop her own passion for engineering from a young age.
She went to several schools, including Roedean. In 1910, she started studying at Newnham College at the University of Cambridge. She was one of the first three women to study Mechanical Sciences there. Even though women couldn't officially get a degree until 1948, Rachel gained a lot of important knowledge. She combined this with the hands-on skills she learned at her father's factory.
When World War I began, Rachel stepped up to help. She took over her brother's role as a director at her father's company, C. A. Parsons and Company, in Newcastle upon Tyne. She was in charge of hiring and training women to replace the men who had gone to fight in the war. Rachel also became a key member of the National Council of Women of Great Britain. She worked hard to make sure that technical schools and colleges were open to everyone, no matter their gender.
After World War I: A Champion for Women
After the war, Rachel Parsons continued her work in engineering and supporting women. She became a member of The Royal Institution of Great Britain in 1918 and stayed a member for the rest of her life.
Rachel and her mother, Katharine, Lady Parsons, were among the important women who started the Women's Engineering Society. Other founders included Eleanor, Lady Shelley-Rolls, Margaret, Lady Moir, and Laura Annie Willson. This group wanted to make sure women engineers could keep their jobs after the war. They also encouraged more women to choose engineering as a career. Rachel Parsons was chosen as the first president of the Women's Engineering Society from 1919 to 1921.
In 1919, Rachel was one of the first three women to be allowed into the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. This was a big step for women in engineering. She also became a lifelong member of the Royal Institute of International Affairs and even earned a Master Mariner's Certificate, which allowed her to captain ships.
In 1920, Rachel Parsons helped create an engineering company called Atalanta Ltd. All the employees at this company were women. They made special tools and machine models. The company aimed to provide jobs and training for women in engineering.
Rachel was also interested in politics. In 1922, she became one of the few women on the London County Council, representing the area of Finsbury. She worked on committees related to electricity and highways. In 1923, she ran for Parliament in Lancashire but was not elected. She continued to be a well-known figure in London society.
Later in her life, Rachel developed a passion for horse racing. She bought a large estate and built a stud farm, where she raised racehorses. Her horses had several successful wins in races.
Rachel Parsons' Passing
Rachel Parsons passed away on July 2, 1956. Her death was investigated, and a former employee was found responsible for her passing. She was buried in Newmarket Cemetery.
Remembering Rachel Parsons
Rachel Parsons' legacy lives on. In 2017, one of the giant tunnel boring machines used for London's new "Super Sewer" project was named after her. This machine, named Rachel, started digging tunnels in 2018, helping to improve London's environment.
See Also
In Spanish: Rachel Mary Parsons para niños
