May Maple CEng FIEE (8 August 1914 – 19 August 2012) was an electrical engineer and past president of the Women's Engineering Society. She was elected a fellow of the Institution of Electrical Engineers in 1969.

Early life and education

May was born on 8 August 1914 in Gateshead to Alfred Newby, a master mariner, and Florence May Newby (née Grundy).[1]

Maple was educated at Calder High School in Liverpool and studied for an Higher National Certificate in electrical engineering at Acton Technical College.[2] She completed the course work at night school over a five year period,[3] while working for Edmundsons as a purchasing officer.

Engineering career

Maple moved to a role as a contracts officer with the British Electricity Authority when that body was formed under the Electricity Act of 1947, and was promoted to 3nd Assistant Engineer in 1953.[1] By 1965, she was the only woman of four contracts officers in the Central Electricity Generating Board.[3][1] In 1969, she was head of the electrical section.[2]

Maple was elected vice president of the Women's Engineering Society in 1967,[2] and served as president from 1970 until 1971.[4]

Maple gave a paper on issues to consider during transportation of heavy indivisible loads to the 3rd International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists, held in Turin in 1971.[5]

Honors and awards

In 1955 Maple was named an associate member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers,[6] and she was named a fellow in 1969.[7]

She was awarded the Isabel Hardwich medal in 1991.[8][9]

In 2024, Maple's work was commemorated by a virtual blue plaque to celebrate the history of the Women's Engineering Society and the Electrical Association for Women.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c "73: May Maple". Magnificent Women. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  2. ^ a b c Maple, May (Winter 1969). "President's Message". The Woman Engineer. 10 (15): 4.
  3. ^ a b Duncan, Sheila (1962-02-09). "Women at the COG wheel". Daily Mirror. p. 11. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
  4. ^ "WES History". Magnificent Women. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  5. ^ "Technical sessions: Communications and transport". The Woman Engineer. 11 (3): 10. Winter 1971.
  6. ^ "News of Members". The Woman Engineer. 7 (18): 18. 1955.
  7. ^ Waddell, Sheila (Winter 1969). "The Golden Anniversary Dinner". The Woman Engineer. 10 (15): 9.
  8. ^ "WES Awards – Women's Engineering Society". 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  9. ^ "Isabel Hardwich medals for Nicole and Sue". The Woman Engineer. 17 (2): 1–2. Winter 2003.
  10. ^ "Virtual Blue Plaques". Magnificent Women. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Maple
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