Hattie Peterson became the first black, female civil engineer in the United States in 1946 and was known for her inspirational integrity and professional qualities.
Captain Charles Young became the first black national park superintendent in 1903 and managed what’s now known as the Sequoia National Park in California, believing in the importance of the preservation of natural habitats.
Alexander Miles was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2007, over a century after improving elevator safety with his invention of the automatic doors.
David Williston became the first black, professionally-trained landscape architect, gaining experience in campus development and agriculture, eventually completing several planting designs for facilities like the George Washington Carver Museum and The Oaks, the home of Booker T. Washington.
Frederick Massiah was born in Barbados, but immigrated into the US and eventually earned his degree in civil engineering in 1915 at what’s now known as Drexel University. He later became one of the first successful black contracting engineers in the US.
We are grateful for these and many more who continue to demonstrate excellence in our profession, even against all odds.
