Verena Holmes was a mechanical engineer, and the first female member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. She was very dedicated to engineering, and was selfless in championing the cause of women in engineering.
Her inventions include the Holmes - Wingfield pneumothorax apparatus for treating patients with tuberculosis, a surgeon’s headlamp, a poppet valve for steam locomotives, and rotary valves for internal combustion engines. She received patents for some of her designs.
Verena was one of the founding members of the Women’s Engineering Society in 1919, where she served as president in 1931. She advocated for Women’s training and employment opportunities in engineering. She worked in the Ministry of Labour and National Service, arranging training courses and placing women in technical posts. She wrote the 1955 “Training and opportunities for women in Engineering” publication. She supported the next generation of engineers, including proposing the election of Kathleen Cook who became the 2nd female Member of the IMechE in 1962.
Verena’s birthday, 23 June, is International Women in Engineering Day, where every year on this date, women in engineering around the world are celebrated for their remarkable achievements, and their contributions to engineering.
The Institution has an award named after Holmes, which aims honour and celebrate individuals who have achieved by undertaking a unique challenge or experience and recognise that innovation is stimulated by embracing diversity.
Southeastern, the railway company serving Kent, Sussex and Southeast London, honoured the Kent-born trailblazer by naming a train after her.
Canterbury Christ Church University named their state-of-the-art building after Verena Holmes. The Verena Holmes building, opened in 2021, is home to their dynamic science, technology, health, engineering, and medical courses.
Find out how you could become an engineer and follow in Verena’s footsteps.
Verena Holmes award
Read more about Verena Holmes on the library blog