 In 1950 Hicks and other women based on the East coast of the United States began meeting in an organization , the goal of which was to advance female engineers and increase female participation in engineering . The organization was incorporated as the Society of Women Engineers two years later . Hicks served as the president of the organization for two consecutive terms , from 1950 to 1952 . In 1963 the Society of Women Engineers presented their highest honor , the Society of Women Engineers Achievement Award , to Hicks . Hicks toured the United States , championing the cause of female engineers through outreach and speaking engagements . She believed that while female engineers would initially be closely watched , they would also be quickly accepted . 
