NE North Dakota News

On December 10, The Conversation published an article by Caitlin Milera, a research assistant professor of Aerospace at the University of North Dakota (UND). The piece profiles Pearl Young, a pioneering figure in aerospace who graduated from UND in 1919 and became the first woman to work in a technical role for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), now known as NASA.

The article has gained traction, being republished by nine media outlets and read over 5,000 times globally. The Conversation is a nonprofit media resource that provides explanatory journalism written by university scholars. It offers these stories for free and immediate republication.

Pearl Young was born in 1895 and overcame significant barriers faced by women pursuing STEM careers during her time. Despite societal challenges, she earned a bachelor's degree with honors in physics, mathematics, and chemistry from UND in 1919. Her career at NACA spanned multiple technical roles across divisions such as physics, instrumentation, and aerodynamics.

In a 1959 interview about her early years at NACA, Young stated: “Those were fruitful years. I was interested in good writing and suggested the need for a technical editor. The engineers lacked the time to make readable reports.” This suggestion led to her reassignment as assistant technical editor in 1935 and later promotion to associate technical editor in 1941.

Young's notable contribution includes publishing the "Style Manual for Engineering Authors" in 1943 while working at the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (now NASA Glenn Research Center). This manual played a crucial role during World War II by standardizing report formats across NACA.

Despite facing sexism throughout her career, Young advocated fiercely for herself and her colleagues. She challenged authority when necessary to protect her team from wrongful accusations and worked towards proper classification of their office within the research division.

Her performance at NACA was exemplary; she received several accolades including the prestigious Sioux Award from UND in 1967. NASA Langley Research Center honored her legacy by dedicating theaters in her name both in 1995 and again in 2014. In 2015, she was inducted into NASA/NACA Langley Hall of Honor.

However, not all of Young’s colleagues appreciated her efforts; some criticized her "attitude" when she asserted herself or requested time off—an indication of ongoing gender biases that persist today.

Women continue to face inequities such as microaggressions and marginalization within STEM fields. Stories like Pearl Young’s highlight systemic barriers but also inspire change by showcasing perseverance against adversity.

Questions regarding this topic can be directed to Tom Dennis or Adam Kurtz from UND's communications department via email provided above.