Yvonne “Yy” Clark: A pioneering engineer who broke the barriers

For over a century, women and racial minorities have fought for access to education and employment opportunities, once reserved exclusively for white men. Life Yvonne Young “Yy” Clark It is a sworn statement to the strength of perseverance on this fight. As a clever black woman who destroyed barriers imposed by the race and gender, she repeatedly conducted history during her profession in the academic environment and industry.

She might be best generally known as the first woman who served as a member of the faculty.Engineering College at Tennessee State Universityin Nashville. However, her pioneering spirit stretched far beyond class, because she consistently displayed a brand new territory for girls and black professionals in the field of engineering. She achieved so much before she died on January 27, 2019 in her home in Nashville at the age of 89.

Clark is the subject of the latest biography in Famous women’s engineers in the history of IEEE-USA number. “Don’t give up” She was her mantra.

Early passion for technology

Born on April 13, 1929 in Houston, Clark moved together with her family to Louisville,Ky., As a toddler. She grew up in the household. Her fatherIN Dr. Coleman M. Young Jr., was a surgeon. Her mother, Hortense H. Young, was a library scientist and journalist. Her mother’s column “tense topics” published by Newspaper, segregation moved, housing discrimination and civil rights, instilling in you awareness of social justice

Clark’s passion for technology became visible at a young age. As a toddler, she secretly repaired the abnormal toaster of her family, surprising her parents. It was a decisive moment, signaling the family that she was intended for an engineering profession – not in education like her older sister, a highschool mathematics teacher.

“The Yy family did not create her passion or talents. These were her own,” said Carol Sutton Lewis, co-host and producer of the third season Podcast “Lost Women of Science”on which Clark was profiled. “What her family did and what they would still do made her interests profitable in a world that was not fair.”

Clark’s interest in engineering was accelerated by her passion to Aviation. She said that every one the pilots she had talked to studying engineering, so she was determined. Joined to Civil Air Patrol And he took simulated flying lessons. Then she learned to fly by plane with the help of a family friend.

Despite her academic perfection, racial barriers stood on her road. At the age of 16 in Louisville’s Central High SchoolIn 1945, her parents, concerned that she was too young to attend studies, sent her to Boston for 2 additional years in Latin school of women AND Roxbury Memorial High School.

Then she submitted an application to University of Louisvillewhere she was initially received and offered a full scholarship. When the university administrators realized that she was black, but they opened the scholarship and reception, Clark said on the podcast “Lost Women of Science”, which included clips due to her daughter interviewed her in 2007. As Clark explained in an interview, the state of Kentucky offered her tuition fees for participation Howard UniversityHistorically, the Black College in Washington, as an alternative of integrating the University financed from public funds.

Breaking barriers in higher education

Although Howard was a possibility, he was not free from discrimination. According to the biography, IEEE-Us Clark faced sex barriers. She was the only woman amongst 300 mechanical engineeringStudents, a lot of whom were veterans of World War II.

“The Yy family did not create her passion or talents. They were her own. What her family and what they would continue to do meant that her profitable interests in a world that was not fair.” —Carol Sutton Lewis

Despite the challenges persistent, and in 1951 she became the first woman who obtained the title of bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the university. However, the school disregarded her historical achievement. In fact, she was not allowed to march together with her classmates after graduation. Instead, she received a diploma during a non-public ceremony at the office of the President of the University.

Career defined by the first

Determined to incorporate an engineering profession, Clark has repeatedly encountered racial and gender discrimination. IN 2007 Society of Women Engineers (Swo) StoryCorps InterviewShe remembered that when she applied for an engineering position with US NavyThe interviewer unsuccessfully told her: “I don’t think I can hire you.” When she asked why not, he replied: “You are a woman and all engineers go out on a cruise after Shakeedown”, a journey during which the performance ship It is tested before entering the service or after launching serious changes, corresponding to renovation. She said the interviewer told her: “Omen sounds:” No women during the Shakeedown cruise. “

Clark finally found a job with the American army Frankford Arsenal The laboratories in Philadelphia, becoming the first black woman employed there. She designed indicators and finalized products drawings for ammunition produced there on small frames and instruments to determine the range. However, tensions arose when some of her colleagues were not identified that she earns more money because of overtime remuneration, according to the biography of IEEE-USA. To relieve tension in the workplace, the army shortened the hours, which prompted her to look for other possibilities.

Her future husband, Bill Clark, saw the difficulty she had to secure interviews, and suggested that she used the sex named YY on her CV.

Tactics worked. Became the first black woman employed by RCA in 1955. She worked for the Tube electronic company in Camden, Nj

Although she was distinguished by the design of factory equipment, she encountered more hostility in the workplace.

“Unfortunately,” says the biography of IEEE, “she felt hostility from her colleagues and injury for her success.”

When Bill, who took the faculty position as a biochemistry instructor Meharry Medical College In Nashville she proposed marriage, she willingly accepted. They got married in December 1955 and she moved to Nashville.

In 1956, Clark applied for a full -time position Ford Motor Co.‘SNashville Glass Plant, in which she existed during the years when she was a student of Howard. She said that despite her qualification, she was refused her work because of the race and sex.

She decided to continue her career in the academic environment, becoming in 1956 the first woman who teaches mechanical engineering at the Tennessee State University. In 1965, she became the first woman who chairedTSUDepartment of Mechanical Engineering.

Teaching in the TSU, she carried out further education, winning a master’s degree in engineering management from Nashville’s Vanderbilt UniversityIn 1972 – another step in her whole life involvement in professional development.

After 55 years at the university, where for most of this time she was also a student of first -year students, Clark retired in 2011 and was appointed a retired professor.

Heritage of leadership and spokes

Clark’s influence went far beyond the TSU. She was active in Society of Women Engineers After becoming the first black member in 1951.

However, racism even followed her in professional circles.

At his 1957 conference at Houston Hotel, the event initially refused to report it due to segregation rules, in accordance with 2022 Clark profile. Under the pressure of the management of the Hotel threatened Hotel; Clark could participate in sessions, but he had to be escorted by a white woman and he was not allowed to stay in the hotel, even though he paid for the room. She was returned and instead remained with relatives.

As a result of this incident, he did not promise that he had ever organized a conference in a segregated city.

For decades, Clark remained the champion of women in Stem. In one interview for her, she advised future generations: “Get ready. Do your job. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and benefit from meeting other women. Whatever you would like, get to understand it and proceed.

“The environment is what you create.

Her contributions brought her numerous distinctions, including his Distinguished Engineering Educator Award and the Award of the Society of Professional Engineers in Tennessee in 2001.

Permanent impression

Clark’s heritage was not limited to engineering; She was deeply involved in Nashville Community Service. Served on the board 18th Avenue Family Center and took part in Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. She was lively in the Hendersonville Area chapter Links, Organization of volunteer services for black women and chapter of Nashville graduates Delta Sigma Theta brotherhood. She also mentors members ScoutsMany of which went to an engineering career.

Clark spent her life, piercing the barriers that tried to hinder her. Not only did she break the glass ceiling – she designed a way through him for people who came for her.