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For those who didn’t know Mabel, she was a true role model for women engineers. An electrical engineer by training, with bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Mabel developed her expertise in the quality arena. On two occasions, she was the first woman engineer hired by her employers and early in her career submitted two patent disclosures. She worked with the Society of Women Engineers at local, regional, and national levels – founding three sections and serving as National Vice President.
Career
Mabel’s 22 years in Hewlett-Packard (HP) Quality Engineering – starting in Puerto Rico and later in Roseville, CA – included work in materials, reliability, product regulations, and ISO 9000 program management. In 1981, Mabel became the first female engineer at HP Puerto Rico. She was also a registered professional engineer in Puerto Rico.
Mabel relocated to Roseville, CA upon being hired by Hewlett-Packard Roseville Networks Division. There, in conjunction with her SWE activities, Mabel supported the development of future engineers by serving as a mentor, role model, and technical contributor. In addition to the demands of her professional life, Mabel raised her two nephews, Enrique and Emmanuel, to adulthood, and both have followed in her footsteps into engineering.
SWE
Mabel joined SWE in 1975 and invested her time to promote women in engineering. Mable was named a Distinguished New Engineer in 1980, honored as a SWE Fellow in 1993, and received the Distinguished Service Award in 2001.
As a true contributor to SWE, she took on many leadership roles and championed the Society’s multicultural efforts through the Minority Concerns Committee. Mabel chaired the National Space Camp Committee and served as the Vice President of Resources in FY02-03 on the SWE Board of Directors. She also chaired the 1988 SWE national student conference, which was held in San Juan.
Mabel was a charter member of the SWE collegiate section at her alma mater, the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez, as well as a charter member of the SWE Puerto Rico professional section. In addition, she was the charter president of the SWE Sierra Foothills professional section located in CA. Mabel also helped coordinate the Sierra Foothills SWE Boutique booth at Societal Conference for many years.
Scholarship
The Mabel Esteves Memorial Scholarship was endowed in FY22 by the SWE Sacramento Valley section. To apply for the Mabel Esteves endowment, students must meet the following criteria:
Students must be enrolled at a qualified, ABET- accredited college/university1
Students must be a full-time student entering their Sophomore, Junior, or Senior year (students with only 1 semester left in their program may apply)
Applicant must be a US Citizen
The student must be enrolled in engineering, engineering technology or computer science majors
1All qualified U.S. ABET accredited programs that are located within the Society of Women Engineers Sacramento Valley Section region. A list of eligible zip codes for school location can be found here.
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