Women who have made their mark on the transport sector

Throughout history, women have demonstrated a remarkable ability to lead in many different fields, and the transport sector has been no exception.

From the days when horse-drawn carriages were a common means of transport to the modern era, in which technology and innovation have transformed the logistics and transport industry, women have played a leading role in major achievements and advances.

Raymonde de Laroche

8 March is not only International Women’s Day; it is also the date on which French aviator Raymonde de Laroche received her pilot’s licence in 1910, becoming the first woman to do so despite the challenges and prejudices of the time.

Pilar Careaga

She defied the conventions of her time and, at the age of 21 in 1929, became Spain’s first female qualified engineer. She was also the first woman in Spain to drive a steam locomotive, on the Madrid–Basque Country route.

Gladys West

Today, GPS is an essential tool for any transport company. However, few people know that a woman played a key role in making this technology possible in the early 1960s.

This American mathematician achieved many milestones throughout her career, but she is particularly recognised for programming a computer that could perform calculations significantly faster than other systems of the time. This enabled highly accurate calculations to develop a model of the Earth’s shape, which later became one of the foundations upon which GPS technology was built.

Bertha Benz

The long journeys by vans and lorries that are so commonplace in our sector today were once a real adventure.

After her husband, Carl Benz, patented a three-wheeled motor car, Bertha set off on a journey of around 100 km with her two sons in 1888. In doing so, she completed the first long-distance journey by motor car, achieving a remarkable milestone for the time.

These are just a few examples of women who have made their mark on the transport sector, but there are many more whose contributions have been equally important. From lorry drivers to engineers and designers, women have played an important role in the industry, demonstrating that there are no limits to what they can achieve.

At EMDIPA, we would like to honour all the women who have made their mark on their respective sectors and who continue to inspire future generations.