A Queen Elizabeth Scholar for ceramics and digital design. An artist making biomimetic wearable technologies. An ambassador. A podcaster. A mentor. An inventor who believes that every kid should get a robot.
Women comprise a relatively small percentage of the global engineering workforce, but they have been contributing in impressive and impactful ways that drive innovation and make a difference in people’s lives. As we enter Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating an artwork that recognizes six “Awesome Women in Engineering” from the SOLIDWORKS community.
Dassault Systèmes commissioned the oil painting from Mark Algar, a former SOLIDWORKS customer and Community member pursuing painting after retiring from his first career. His painting “Awesome Women in Engineering” was unveiled at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2022.
“At SolidWorks, we believe strongly in the power of women in engineering and the women showcased in Mark’s painting are amazing,” said Suzanne Locke, director of SOLIDWORKS Community and User Advocacy. “Their contributions are driving innovation and are having a significant impact on people’s lives.” The six women featured in Algar’s Awesome Women in Engineering are:
- Melissa Ahmed, design engineer, entrepreneur and ambassador
- Betty Baker, longtime SOLIDWORKS user and user group leader
- Danielle Boyer, author, inventor and creator of Every Kid Gets a Robot
- Jade Crompton, product designer, SOLIDWORKS blogger and Champion
- Kate Reed, designer building wearable tech and Artist in Residence at the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab
- Meagan Ziemba, writer, marketer and “Mavens of Manufacturing” podcaster
Learn more about the women in the painting.
“Awesome Women in Engineering” is the third painting in a series by Algar. The subjects focus on the passion of the SolidWorks community and their work. The first painting features the Magic Wheelchair project and the second illustrates the Grand Challenge, an initiative that brought SolidWorks colleagues together – from various departments – and gave them the challenge to create a space module on Dassault Systemes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform. With over 500 participants, the painting confirmed that everyone can be a creator using the platform.
After an unveiling at 3DEXPERIENCE World, the paintings are brought to Waltham and showcased at Dassault Systèmes North American headquarters.