Celebrating Black History Month – Hattie Scott Peterson

As we celebrate Black History Month this February, Qk4 is exploring the past to spotlight Black civil engineers who made remarkable impact on the industry.

•  This week, we’re celebrating Hattie Scott Peterson  •
(1913-1993)

Introducing: Hattie Scott Peterson

If you were to describe Hattie Scott Peterson in one word, it’d be “trailblazer”.  She bravely paved the way for future female African American engineers by being the first!

Her Achievements

Originally from Virginia, Peterson attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1946.  This achievement earned her the title of “First Female African-American Civil Engineer” in the United States.  Hattie Scott Peterson then went on to work for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Sacramento, California.  While with the USGS, she worked as a survey and cartographic engineer.  Several years later, Peterson began working at the local U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).  Here, she picked up another “first” title, as USACE’s first female engineer.

While earning all those “firsts,” Peterson was a member of the National Technical Association, the American Society of Photogrammetry, and the Unitarian Church.  She was one busy person!

Her Legacy Lives On

After her death in 1993, Hattie Scott Peterson and her husband left an endowment for scholarships at Howard University.  Additionally, a Hattie Peterson Inspirational Award is presented annually by the Sacramento district of the USACE.  The purpose of the award is “to recognize the Sacramento District individual whose actions best exemplify the highest qualities of personal and professional perseverance through social challenges.”

Connect with us to see who we spotlight next week!

Sources:

1. Howard, Ayanna. “5 Engineers We’re Celebrating This Black History Month IEEE Transmitter.” IEEE Transmitter, IEEE, 12 June 2020, transmitter.ieee.org/celebrating-black-history-month-engineers/.

2. “Peterson, Hattie Scott.” AKA’s Pioneering Sorors Open Doors, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., akapioneers.aka1908.com/index.php/component/mtree/vocations/education-1/first-graduates-2/2536-peterson-hattie-scott?Itemid=.

3. Peoplepillcom. “About Hattie Scott Peterson: American Engineer (1913 – 1993): Biography, Facts, Career, Wiki, Life.” Peoplepill.com, 28 Jan. 2020, peoplepill.com/people/hattie-scott-peterson.

4. Jordan, Diann. “Sisters in Science.” Google Books, Google, 2006, books.google.com/books?id=_7WSzRAU_rUC&dq=diann%2Bjordan%2Bsisters%2Bin%2Bscience&q=hattie%2Bt.%2Bscott#v=snippet&q=hattie%20t.%20scott&f=true.