FEATURES
69
Knowledge is power,
say women in industry
This month we celebrate women in industry and how they have made a
difference. Plumbing Africa speaks to two women fulfilling distinct roles
in the plumbing industry to learn more.
Compiled by Cherry Ellis
She was the co-author of multiple books with her
husband; however, the publishers were concerned about
her credibility as a female author (even though she had a
doctorate while her husband never attended college), so
she wasn’t named on the books.
Gilbreth was instrumental in the development of the
modern kitchen and is credited for the invention
of shelving in refrigerator doors and the foot-pedal
garbage can. She was also one of the first to consider
stress and fatigue associated with workloads and
time management.
Although today’s women are finding it easier to pave a
way for themselves, they occasionally have to overcome
certain challenges.
Jacky Rossouw, sales director at Lecico SA, says by pure
chance did she happen to ‘choose’ her career. “I had
relocated to the Western Cape and needed employment,
so when the opportunity arose as an office temp for
Lecico SA, I jumped on the wagon and had every
intention of cementing my place on a permanent basis,”
says Rossouw. That was 15 years ago.
“The industry has always been male dominated,
which meant that I needed to work twice as hard
to be taken seriously by my male counterparts. My
approach was to learn as much as I possibly could
about the industry and portray confidence when
dealing with my male counterparts. I think that this
was a good recipe, and I have earned their respect.
I am now seen as part of a team where my opinion
is valued and respected,” says Rossouw.
She and her husband performed the time and motion
study that is currently applicable to the improvement
and upgrading of work systems. The Gilbreths are also
recognised for their contribution to job simplification, job
standardisation, and innovations in workplace efficiency
like improved lighting and regular breaks. She believes she has made a difference in her
department by displaying confidence, with resilience and
a determination to succeed in the industry. “This has
been a positive contribution, especially to the women on
my team. By absorbing as much information as I possibly
could, remaining humble and always being open to
advice, have gained me the respect of my entire team.”
In 1966, she won the Hoover Medal of the American
Society of Civil Engineers. She became the first
female professor in the engineering school at Purdue
University and the first woman elected to the National
Academy of Engineering As the sales director of Lecico SA, her key focus is
long-term strategic planning for the company. Along
with this, is meeting targets, keeping her team highly
motivated, and ensuring that their customer service
standards are exceptional.
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Doing research on women in construction, it was
interesting to learn that Lillian Gilbreth, known as
the woman of modern management and as ‘a genius
in the art of living’, was one of the first working
female engineers to hold a PhD. She combined
the perspectives of an engineer, a psychologist,
a wife, and a mother of 12; she also became the
first female member of the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers in 1926.
Lillian Gilbreth became
the first female member of
the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers in 1926.
August 2018 Volume 24 I Number 6