The Institution of Structural Engineers has been shaped by many remarkable individuals, and the women who first entered the profession did so against a backdrop of significant societal barriers. Their achievements helped redefine what engineering could be, and who it could be for.
Florence Mary Taylor: the first female member of IStructE (1926)
Florence Mary Taylor’s admission to the Institution in 1926 as an Associate Member, marked a turning point. Already Australia’s first qualified female architect, editor, publisher and town planner, Taylor brought a breadth of expertise that was rare even among her peers. Her passion was in town planning and design, in 1913, with her husband, she was a founding member of the Town Planning Association of New South Wales. Through her publications she became a leading voice in shaping the bustling city.
Her influence extended beyond design. As editor of Building magazine, she championed innovation, debated national policy, and helped elevate the public understanding of engineering and construction. Taylor’s membership signalled that women not only belonged in the profession: they could lead it.
Dorothy Donaldson Buchanan: the UK’s first female Chartered Engineer (1927)
Although not a structural engineer by specialism, Dorothy Donaldson Buchanan’s achievements resonate strongly across the profession. As the first woman to become a Chartered Engineer in the UK, she worked on some of the most iconic steel structures of the early 20th century, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Lambeth Bridge and the Tyne Bridge.
Her career demonstrated that women could contribute to the most complex and ambitious engineering projects of their time: a message that continues to inspire.
Mary Thompson Irvine: the first female Chartered Structural Engineer (1947)
Two decades later, Mary Thompson Irvine became the first woman to achieve Chartered Membership of the Institution. Passing the rigorous professional examination in 1947 was an extraordinary accomplishment at a time when few women were encouraged to pursue engineering careers.
Irvine contributed to post‑war reconstruction efforts, helping rebuild communities and infrastructure during a period of rapid change. She wrote her own computer programmes to analyse huge steel structures. A particularly notable project was her work on the Castle Peak B Power Station in Hong Kong (1982) where she wrote analysis software for the design of plate girders and design checks on coal bunkers for Walkers Pressures.
At the end of her career, she left engineering and worked on The British Expertise in Science and Technology (BEST) database at St Andrews, a national directory created in 1986 that catalogued the expertise of over 14,000 UK scientists to connect academia with industry and government.
Marjem Chatterton: the first female Fellow of IStructE (1985)
Another landmark moment in the Institution’s history came with Marjem Chatterton, who became the first female Fellow of IStructE in 1985. Fellowship represents one of the highest levels of professional recognition awarded to engineers who have made an exceptional contribution to structural engineering.
Chatterton built a respected career in structural design, project leadership and renowned for designing multi-storey reinforced concrete buildings. She shaped the Harare skyline, her prominent work includes the structural engineering for Livingstone House and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe building, which became the tallest in the country. She also designed the Reserve Bank of Malawi building.
Her election as a Fellow signalled something vital for the sector, women were not only entering the profession and achieving chartership, but they were now shaping it at it a senior level.
She later became a respected educator, shaping the next generation of engineers through her commitment to technical excellence and professional integrity.
Sarah Buck OBE: the first female President of IStructE (2007)
In 2007 Sarah Buck was elected as the 88th President of the Institution of Structural Engineers and first female President. Following an engineering degree at the University of Exeter, Sarah, began her career at Freeman Fox & Partners in 1975 and later went on to co-found BSW Consulting in Exeter in1996.
Sarah secured a further milestone in 1983 becoming the first woman to be elected to the Institution Council.
Dame Joanna Gabrielle da Silva: the first female Gold Medallist at IStructE (2017)
Jo da Silva is the Global Director of Sustainable Development at Arup, leading the firm's activities to address the climate, biodiversity and equity crises through creating safe, resilient, regenerative places.
Jo has authored numerous papers and publications and received an honorary doctorates in from Coventry University and South Bank University. She is a Hon. Fellow at Sydney Sussex, Cambridge University and a National Preparedness Commissioner.
Jo was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) in 2026 in recognition of her contribution to international development. She previously received an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to humanitarian relief. In 2017 Jo was awarded the Gold Medal by the Institution of Structural Engineers, and in 2021 awarded Royal Designer of Industry.