Repository: UIHistories Project: SWE - Proceedings of the First International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists [PAGE 172]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

WELCOME FROM THE STATE OF NEW YORK WOMEN'S PROGRAM By The Honorable Guin Hall Deputy Commissioner, Woman's Program New York State Department of Commerce (Presented at the New York Luncheon, Thursday, June 18, 1964

On behalf of the Woman's Program of the New York State Department of Commerce, I am happy indeed to welcome participants in this First International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists. Among the responsibilities of the Woman's Program is that of encouraging girls and young women to make full use of their brains — and this impressive gathering of women who work as engineers and scientists all over the country and the world is a splendid example of what women can do and an inspiration to women and girls everywhere. One reason the Woman's Program encourages girls to aim toward the best career of which they are capable is that most of them will, at some time, work. It is a trifle difficult to convince a high school girl that even though she marries her Prince Charming the chances are 6 in 10 that she will sometime have to or want to work. In New York State, 2 1/2 million women, more than one-third the total work force, are gainfully employed. (I am happy to report that the number who earn over $10,000 a year is double the national average.) Another reason we want our girls to achieve their greatest professional potential is that, being part of a Commerce Department, we are aware of the careful planning and preparation essential to meeting the demands of the state's continual development. New York is a busy state — it leads in almost every economic measure: 16% of all manufacturing establishments in the country, 14% of the wholesale firms, a tenth of the nations*s retail stores are here. We produce over one-third of all apparel and furs, and lead in production of photographic equipment, printing and publishing. Industrial giants whose names and trademarks are recognized throughout the world are located here. Research, scientists, and engineers are a necessity in a state as industrial as New York. Many authorities — including yourselves — have emphasized that men alone cannot fill the great need in these fields -- that it is essential for girls capable of being engineers and scientists to enter these careers. The Society of Women Engineers is to be greatly commended for their outstanding work and accomplishments in encouraging talented girls to enter the engineering field* Dr. Beatrice Hicks has pointed out that every thousand women entering the labor market must take with them enough engineers and scientists to support their participation in the work force. So, both from the standpoint of the state's economy and progress, and in the knowledge that girls are being helped to realize their full professional potentials, we heartily endorse your Society's excellent work.

111-69