Kicking The Door Down with Rachel Parsons

Rachel Parsons (1885–1956) was a trailblazing British engineer and a true pioneer in "kicking the door down" for women in industry. As the daughter of Sir Charles Parsons, the inventor of the steam turbine, she was born into engineering but refused to be confined to the background. She became one of the first women to study Mechanical Sciences at Cambridge University, though women were not awarded degrees at the time.

During World War I, she co-founded and led the Women's Engineering Society (WES) in 1919, fighting for women's rights to work in engineering and technical fields. She also became the first president of WES, championing the cause of female engineers at a time when they were being pushed out of industry after the war.

Parsons was a fierce advocate for women’s rights, battling societal norms that sought to restrict women’s roles. She also ran her family’s Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company, proving that women could lead in traditionally male-dominated sectors.

Her story embodies the spirit of "kicking the door down"—she broke through barriers in education, industry, and leadership, making it possible for future generations of women to enter engineering and other STEM fields. Despite facing significant resistance, she remained committed to empowering women in technical professions, leaving behind a lasting legacy in both engineering and gender equality

Kicking The Door Down