Caroline Haslett
Encyclopedia
Dame Caroline Harriet Haslett, DBE, JP
(August 17, 1895, Worth
(now in Crawley
, West Sussex
) – January 4, 1957) was a British electrical engineer and electricity industry administrator.
She was the first secretary of the Women's Engineering Society as well as first director of the Electrical Association for Women (which she co-founded) which pioneered such wonders as the "All-Electric House" in Bristol
in 1935. Her particular interest was electricity, and how this might benefit women by liberating them from household drudgery. In the early 1920s, few houses had electric light or heating, let alone electrical appliances; the National Grid was not yet in existence.
Companion in 1932. From 1950 until her death she was JP
for the County of London
.
.
Reportedly, her dying wish was that she be cremated by electricity.
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
(August 17, 1895, Worth
Worth village, West Sussex
Worth is an area within the neighbourhood of Pound Hill, Crawley. It was a separate village and is still a civil parish in the Mid Sussex District of West Sussex.-Worth village:...
(now in Crawley
Crawley
Crawley is a town and local government district with Borough status in West Sussex, England. It is south of Charing Cross, north of Brighton and Hove, and northeast of the county town of Chichester, covers an area of and had a population of 99,744 at the time of the 2001 Census.The area has...
, West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
) – January 4, 1957) was a British electrical engineer and electricity industry administrator.
She was the first secretary of the Women's Engineering Society as well as first director of the Electrical Association for Women (which she co-founded) which pioneered such wonders as the "All-Electric House" in Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
in 1935. Her particular interest was electricity, and how this might benefit women by liberating them from household drudgery. In the early 1920s, few houses had electric light or heating, let alone electrical appliances; the National Grid was not yet in existence.
First World War
During the First World War, she joined the Cochran Boiler Company where she acquired a basic engineering training and from that time became something of a pioneer for women in the electrical and professional world.Career
- In 1919 she became first secretary of the Women's Engineering SocietyWomen's Engineering SocietyThe Women's Engineering Society was founded in 1919 by women who worked as engineers during the first world war, found they enjoyed it, were good at it and didn't want to stop. WES was one of the very first organisations to champion women's right to non-traditional careers. The members have...
(WES) and was President in 1941. In 1924 she became the first director of the Electrical Association for Women of which she was a joint-founder. She was Chair of the Council of Scientific Management in the Home and presented papers on home management in various countries.
- From 1946-1954 Haslett was the only woman member of the Council of the British Institute of Management, and the first woman Chairman (from 1953-1954) of the British Electrical Development Association.
- Dame Caroline became President of the British Federation of Business and Professional Women and President of the International Federation in 1950.
Honours
In recognition of her services she was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1931 and was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1947. She was elected an IEEInstitution of Electrical Engineers
The Institution of Electrical Engineers was a British professional organisation of electronics, electrical, manufacturing, and Information Technology professionals, especially electrical engineers. The I.E.E...
Companion in 1932. From 1950 until her death she was JP
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
for the County of London
County of London
The County of London was a county of England from 1889 to 1965, corresponding to the area known today as Inner London. It was created as part of the general introduction of elected county government in England, by way of the Local Government Act 1888. The Act created an administrative County of...
.
Second World War
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 Labour MinistryMinistry of Labour
The Ministry of Labour was a British civil service department established by the New Ministries and Secretaries Act 1916. It was renamed the Employment Department in 1988, and finally abolished in 1995...
.
Reportedly, her dying wish was that she be cremated by electricity.