Rachel Mary Parsons (1885 - 1956)

Rachel Mary Parsons (1885 - 1956) was an engineer and advocate for women's employment rights, and was the first President of the Women's Engineering Society in Britain, established in 1919.

Rachel was one of the first three women to study Mechanical Sciences at Cambridge University -  although, it wasn't until 1948, that women could graduate with a degree or become a full member of the University. 

During the First World War, Rachel replaced her brother on the board of directors of C. A. Parsons and Company (engineering) in Newcastle. She also took on a role in the training department of the Ministry of Munitions, supporting the increasing number of women taking on jobs in industry to support the war effort. After the war, when most working women were expected to return to their homes, Rachel continued to advocate women’s employment rights. She was a co-founder of the Women’s Engineering Society and was it's first President (1919-1921). She was elected to the London County Council, and also stood for election as an MP in 1923, at a time when there were only two female MPs. In April 1919, she was one of the first women admitted to the Royal Institution of Naval Architects.