Arminta Harness
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Lieutenant Colonel Arminta Jean Harness | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 2, 1928 |
| Died | February 17, 2010 (aged 81) |
| Burial place | Northern California Veterans Cemetery |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California |
| Occupation | Aeronautical Engineer |
Arminta Jean Harness (March 2, 1928 – February 17, 2010) was the first woman engineer to join the US Air Force.[1][2] She served for 24 years in the Air Force, and became the President of the Society of Women Engineers in 1976-1978.[1]
Arminta Jean Harness was born in 1928 in Oilton, Oklahoma.[1] Her father was in the oil business, meaning that she spent much of her childhood moving around, however, they would always return to Oilton to visit family.[3]
Amelia Earhart was an important role model for Harness growing up. She had read all three of Earhart's books and treasured a signed copy of The Fun of It.[1] As a result of this inspiration, Harness decided in her sophomore year of high school to become an aeronautical engineer.[1] After graduating from high school, Harness started her studies at Lindenwood College for Women but left after two years. She then enrolled at the University of Southern California and was the second woman[4] to graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1955.[1][2] She continued her studies on the USC graduate programme in engineering management.[1]
During this time, employment practices prioritised for servicemen returning from World War II, particularly in engineering professions. Consequently, Harness joined the US Air Force to build up some experience in engineering.[1]
Military service
Harness was the first woman engineer to join the US Air Force.[1][2] She enlisted in 1950 and began her training at the US Air Force Officer Candidate School at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.[5] After completing her training and spending two years as a recruitment officer, Harness was assigned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.[5] She soon became the chief of personnel at the Aerial Reconnaissance Laboratory.[5] In 1954 she moved into an engineering role, where she designed prototypes, wind tunnel testing and flight-testing of aerial weather equipment.[5]
She was part of many of the groundbreaking space exploration programmes including the Gemini Programme and the Apollo Missions.[2] She was based at Los Angeles Air Force Base and had a desk next to Buzz Aldrin for a time.[2]
Harness' military decorations are the following:[6]
Harness was also the first woman to achieve both the senior and master Missile Badge.[3]
Engineering career
Following her military retirement Harness joined Westinghouse Hanford Company in 1974.[1]
In 1978, during Harness' time as the manager of laboratory planning at Westinghouse Harness gave the Verena Holmes Lecture in the United Kingdom in association with the Women's Engineering Society.[7]
In 1979 Harness resigned from the Westinghouse Hanford Company.[1]