Dame Caroline Haslett

Dame Caroline Haslett  Companion of the IEE Caroline Haslett was born at Worth, Sussex in 1895 and after an education at Haywards Heath joined the Cochran Boiler Company during the First World War. There she acquired an engineering training and from that time became something of a pioneer for women in the electrical and professional world.

In 1919 she became first secretary of the Women's Engineering Society (WES) and was president of the WES in 1941. In 1924 she became the first director of the Electrical Association for Women of which she was a joint-founder. She became Chairman of the Council of Scientific Management in the Home and presented papers on home management in various countries. 

From 1946-1954 she was the only woman member of the Council of the British Institute of Management and in 1953-1954 was chairman of the British Electrical Development Association, the first time a woman had been appointed to that office. Also she was the only woman member of the British Electricity Authority 1947-1956 - a popular appointment in view of the importance of domestic electrical development.

Dame Caroline's activities aroused great interest among a number of women's organisations, town planning authorities and other bodies and she was active in many such organisations. She became President of the British Federation of Business and Professional Women and in 1950 became President of the International Federation. 

 She travelled widely in connection with her offices, to Europe, the Middle East, Canada and the United States. During the Second World War she undertook several missions at the request of the British and United States Governments and was appointed chairman of the Hosiery Working Party and Honorary Advisor on Women's Training to the Ministry of Labour.

In recognition of her services she was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1931 and in 1947 was promoted to Dame Commander. The Institution elected her a companion in 1932 and she was JP for the County of London from 1950. To avoid confusion, Dame Caroline has been referred to as such throughout the handlist, before and after her decoration in 1947 was promoted to Dame Commander. 

The Institution elected her a companion in 1932 and from 1950 she was JP for the County of London.

Dame Caroline's activities aroused great interest among a number of women's organisations, town planning authorities and other bodies and she was active in many such organisations. She became President of the British Federation of Business and Professional Women and President of the International Federation in 1950. She travelled widely in connection with her offices: to Europe, the Middle East, Canada and the United States. 

During the Second World War she undertook several missions at the request of the British and United States Governments and was appointed chairman of the Hosiery Working Party and Honorary Advisor on Women's Training to the Ministry of Labour.

 

Other resources of interest

Caroline Haslett biography
Women's Engineering Society magnificent women

IET Women's Network
BBC schools - Dame Caroline Haslett (video)
BBC schools - Dame Caroline Haslett