Margaret Taber

Margaret R. Taber (April 29, 1935 – June 10, 2015 ) was a pioneer for women in engineering. She was an electrical and electronics engineering educator. She was the author of several nonfiction books and articles on computer programming. She has had computer labs named in her honor. She has established scholarships in her name.

Early life Taber was born in St. Louis, Missouri, as the only child to Wynn Orr and Margaret Ruth (Feldman) Stevens. Her father was an electrical engineer. Her mother was a department store clerk. They divorced and her mother raised her alone during World War II.

They moved to Cleveland, Ohio, when Taber was in the sixth grade. Taber described her child-self as a tomboy. She had played with toy soldiers/sailors, pretended war, and owned a sailor suit. Before attending Wilbur Wright Junior High School, Tabor discovered the value of hard work. Tabor's favorite class at this point was physical education; she wanted to be a gym teacher.

In 1993, she established the Dr. Margaret R. Taber Scholarship for Women in Engineering to provide for outstanding women engineering students at the University of Akron. In 2007, she established a second scholarship fund for women in Electronic Engineering Technology.

Awards In 1987, Taber received the 1987 Distinguished Engineering Educator Award from the Society of Women Engineers. In 1991, she was honored with the Helen B. Schleman Gold Medallion Award at Purdue University. She also received the Survivorship Award from the Greater Lafayette community. In 1994, she received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Akron. In 2002, Taber received the Lifetime Leadership award from Cleveland State University.

In 2009, Taber received the President’s Award for Leadership, Volunteer Service & Philanthropy from Rainbow Acres in Arizona. In 2012, Margaret was honored with the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for her "willingness to go the extra mile, extreme tenacity, enthusiasm for life and reliability, a true inspiration for many."

Personal life Margaret married William J. Taber on September 6, 1958. Her husband's death preceded hers by 2 days, on June 8, 2015.

Philanthropy Taber spent her retirement volunteering for organizations such as the American Cancer Society, CanSurmount 1993-1998, and the computer lab of the Lafayette Adult Reading Academy. Taber was a dedicated member of the Federated Church for 35 years. She had a passion for mission work. She volunteered at Rainbow Acres in Arizona for 25 years to help adults with developmental disabilities, including the creation and ongoing support of a computer lab and the teaching of computer skills.