SWE - Winter 2009 - (Page 5) PRESIDENT’S NOTE Engineers Make the World a Better Place T his fall I represented the Society of Women Engineers at several conferences: the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers; the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, which was celebrating its 100th anniversary; and, of course, WE08. At each of these events I was honored to be able to talk with many people, especially students. These discussions have energized me with thoughts of all the wonderful and rewarding projects engineers are working on to make the world a better place. When I began to study engineering, I had no concept of the broad impact of engineers’ work. In my last few years of school, career opportunities seemed to be concentrated in defense and related areas. So many fields require engineers, presenting us a variety of ways to engage in fulfilling careers that also give back to society. AIChE’s 100th anniversary was a natural time for the organization to look back over the century and chronicle the contributions of chemical engineers. The list includes inventions that allow “living better through chemistry and plastics” — a sentiment commonly heard in the 1960s. Examples of better living include nylon used to make hosiery; the Teflon® that coats our non-stick pans; the Kevlar® used to protect our soldiers; processes that create clean, healthy water; and the processes and materials used to create the computer I’m typing on. This occasion also provided AIChE a vantage point for considering what engineers should work on for the future. This forward view supports the National Academy of Engineering’s Grand Challenges for Engineering, which outline ways that engineers can make outstanding contributions to society. These challenges focus on sustainability, health, vulnerability, and joy of living. I’m truly inspired by the opportunities that lie ahead for all of us: making alternate sources of energy economically feasible; providing all of the world access to clean water; developing environmentally friendly and sustainable processes; creating medical advances in terms of devices, drugs, and use of information; ensuring safety from natural disasters and terrorism; and formulating innovations that improve life. We are at the heart of all these breakthroughs. I am a strong subscriber to the thought that, given enough time and money, engineers can accomplish anything. Our engineering knowledge and skills place us in a small percentage of the population — a number we are in the process of increasing. However, whether the percentage of women engineers is small or large, I believe it is an obligation and privilege to use our gifts for the betterment of society. I hope that you find exercising this responsibility as fulfilling and enjoyable as I do. Virginia Connolly, P.E. FY09 SWE President SWE WINTER 2009 5
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