Elizabeth M. Kennedy

Elizabeth M. Kennedy (21 September 1873 - 18 August 1957) was the president of the Women's Engineering Society (WES) from 1932 to 1934. She worked for the London-based machinery manufacturer Messrs J B Stone & Co, initially as a shorthand typist, becoming company Secretary before being appointed to joint managing director in 1915. Shortly afterwards, she was promoted to managing director and remained in this position until her retirement in 1934. Despite her commercial achievements as a female engineer and business woman post-World War I, including opportunities to travel to America, Kennedy remained adamant that she did not label herself as a feminist, stating in her WES retiring president's address: "I am not a feminist"..."I have never been one, and although I may offend some of my women friends by saying so, I do not think it was the fact that they chained themselves to railings which obtained the vote for women. They showed their worth during the war. It is the ability in either men or women which should give them the opportunity to do what they want"

Early life Elizabeth Margaret Kennedy was born on 21 September 1873 in Camberwell. and Kennedy listed her as her contact at a later address in Radlett when travelling on business. She is credited as being "instrumental in putting the nibbling machines, Alligator belt fasteners and other specialities on the market". The company had a branch in Chicago during 1920s and 1930s. Kennedy remained managing director until her voluntary retirement in June 1934. She was appointed President of the society in 1932 in April 1926 on the SS Mauritania and in May 1933 on the RMS Franconia.

In her lecture titled A Business Woman's Trip to America, addressed to the Women's Engineering Society on April 8, 1927, she discusses her opinions on conducting business in America, the woman's position and reasons to visit. Elizabeth Margaret Kennedy died on 18 August 1957 in Hove.

In Volume 8 (no. 8) of The Woman Engineer, dated Spring 1958, it was announced that Kennedy had died. The obituary states that she "had spent her whole life in engineering".