Women of Purdue: Celebrating Women's History Month

    Happy Women’s History Month! This month, our team wanted to highlight some of the ways Purdue supports her women students and the women in Purdue's history who have paved the way for others to follow in their own educational and professional pursuits. In this blog, we are focusing on some of the important women to Purdue’s history, both engineers and non-engineers.

France A. Córdova

    France is an astrophysicist who worked in astrophysics research and professing at various universities for nearly 23 years. She became Purdue’s eleventh president in 2007 and was also Purdue’s first woman president. She was a professor of physics and astronomy and advanced Purdue’s commitment to research. Her important contributions to the University include raising the levels of research funding, reputation, and student retention. Following her career as Purdue’s president, France became the director of the National Science Foundation. The “CoRec”, as it is popularly known, is named after her; The France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center!

Julie Kramer White

    Whenever a Purdue engineering student thinks of an inspiring woman in aerospace engineering, Julie Kramer White is always one of the first people who come to mind. White received her degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering in 1990, and worked for NASA Johnson Space Center following her co-op program there. Through her career at NASA, she has been part of the Human Spaceflight program, working on projects such as the International Space Station and the Orion Multi-purpose Crew Vehicle. She has been recognized by Purdue as well as former President Obama for her contributions to space exploration. She often makes visits to Purdue and I strongly encourage you to attend one of her talks; she is absolutely amazing and fascinating!

Helen B. Schleman

    Helen Schleman was a Indiana native who had two masters degrees in Education and Psychology. After serving in the Women’s Reserve of the U.S. Coast Guard, Helen B. Schlemann came to Purdue to serve as the Dean of Women, before the position of Dean of Students was created to combine the roles of Dean of Men and Dean of Women. Schleman was an active participant in eliminating curfews and other strict rules for women on campus and in residence halls and has a classroom building named after her. She fought for young women students as well as adult students at the University.

Amy Ross

    Making a spacesuit is not easy, but Amy Ross has risen to the challenge. Ross received her bachelor's degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue in 1994, following in the footsteps of her father, who is a Purdue-alumna astronaut. In her role as head of the Advanced Spacesuit Pressure Garment Development at NASA Johnson Space Center, she had designed the spacesuit gloves that every astronaut has used since 1998. She is currently working on designing a space suit that can be used on the surface of Mars. Without her work, human space exploration on Mars wouldn’t exist!

Beverly Stone and Barbara Cook

    Beverly Stone began her career at Purdue as an advisor to student organizations in the Office of the Dean of Women and later became the successor to Helen B. Schleman. In 1974, she became the first Dean of Students when the position was established and was the first woman in the Big Ten to hold this title. Beverley co-wrote a book with her colleague, Barbara Cook, about her experiences guiding the women at Purdue. Beverley retired from her position in 1980 and Barbara became her successor. The “When Dreams Dance'' sculpture on campus is dedicated to Stone and Cook.

   These are just a few of the many incredible women who left a lasting impact on Purdue's history. Through the Women in Engineering Program, you will have many opportunities to connect with other alumnae women leaders. Access Alum events invite alumnae to return to Purdue’s campus for a discussion of their career in a more casual Q&A setting. The Women in Engineering Seminar course, ENGR 194, features alumnae as guest lecturers on their paths to success and their ongoing careers and passions. Look forward to future blogs about more of the opportunities at Purdue for women.

Madeleine Yee, AAE '26 and Christine Mayo, ChE '26

Recruitment Project Committee

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