EXhibit

In 1901, Margaret Burke enrolled in a physics class, becoming the first woman to take a course at NC State University. Over a hundred years later, in 2019, NC State for the first time admitted a majority of women in its first-year class. Despite the increase of female students and faculty members at NC State, men still dominate many STEM programs. For example, the university’s College of Engineering remains the most male-dominated school on campus. As of the fall of 2018, women make up only 25.3% of undergraduate engineering students. Despite this underrepresentation, women have played an important role in the development of STEM programs at NC State.

Gertrude Cox

January 13, 1900- October 17, 1978

Often known as NC State University’s “first lady of statistics,” Gertrude Cox became the college’s first female professor and department head in November 1940. Cox served as the head of the Department of Experimental Statistics from 1940 to 1949 and was integral in the founding and administration of the North Carolina Institute of Statistics, which supported programs at NC State and UNC Chapel Hill. She remained at NC State until 1960.

Cox served in many roles after leaving her position as department head. In 1959, Cox played an important part in founding the Research Triangle Institute, where she served as Director of the Statistics Research Division until 1964.

Other accomplishments include being the first woman elected to the International Statistical Institute in 1949, President of the American Statistical Association in 1956, an honorary doctorate from Iowa State College in 1958, and membership in the National Academy of Science in 1975.

In 1970, thirty years after Cox’s arrival, NC State dedicated Cox Hall. The university also offers the Gertrude Cox Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching and Learning with Technology, recognizing faculty who utilize creative pedagogy and integrate new technologies into effective teaching strategies.

Justina Williams

(March 27, 1929 - December 11, 2003)

Justina Harris Williams was the first African American academic staff member at NC State University. Although African Americans worked at the university before Williams was hired, they mostly served in custodial and food service positions. In 1958, Williams became a research technician in the Genetics Department’s Drosophila (small fruit flies) research project, working with Professor Ken-ichi Kojima. Although Williams did not hold an academic degree beyond her high school diploma from Washington High School in Raleigh, she took classes at Shaw University, Hampton Institute, and NC State.

Williams was a pioneer in breaking down racial barriers at NC State as she began her career during the Jim Crow era. When Williams joined the department, Gardner Hall had only three categories of restrooms: "White Men", "White Women", and "Colored Men", so Williams thought her only option was to use the restroom marked for white women. This decision agitated a white female secretary from a different department and she complained to the Chancellor threatening to leave. The Chancellor respected the secretary's decision to leave but did not stop Williams from using the restrooms; thus integrating the restrooms in the building. After 30 years, she retired as Head Research Technician in the Genetics Department.

Katharine stinson

September 18,1917- July 29, 2001

Katharine Stinson became the first woman to graduate from NC State College with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1941. Stinson broke barriers again when she became the first female engineer to work at the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA), now the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Stinson always had an interest in aviation. As a teenager, Stinson assisted mechanics at the Raleigh Airport in exchange for flying lessons. While working there, Stinson had the opportunity to meet Amelia Earhart who encouraged her to become an aeronautical engineer.

Stinson applied to the engineering school at NC State but was initially denied admission due to her gender. Told she could not enter the program until she earned junior status, Stinson enrolled at Meredith College, completed 48 semester hours in one year, and was later admitted as a freshman to NC State in 1937.

Stinson maintained close ties to NC State, establishing a scholarship in her name and serving as the first woman on the Alumni Association's board of directors. Stinson was the first woman to receive the NC State University Alumni Association Distinguished Engineering Alumnus award in 1971. NC State also honored Stinson by naming a campus street after her, Stinson Drive.

MOre women in stem

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