When it comes to bridge builders, Emily Warren Roebling isn’t just a name to remember—she’s a legend to be celebrated. Back in the late 1800s, when corsets were tight and opportunities for women were even tighter, Emily stepped up in a way that would make modern multitaskers look downright lazy.
It all started when her husband, Washington Roebling, took over the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge after his father’s death. The project was groundbreaking, and so were the health issues it caused, landing Washington bedridden with decompression sickness. That’s when Emily shifted from supportive spouse to chief engineer without missing a beat.
Without any formal training in engineering, Emily took over day-to-day supervision and project management of the bridge’s construction. She learned complex mathematics, mastered the intricacies of cable construction, and negotiated with suppliers and workers who were probably wondering, “Can she really do this?” Spoiler alert: She could, and she did.
One of her significant challenges was dealing with the caissons, the watertight structures used to lay the bridge’s foundations underwater. These caissons were plagued by the bends, a condition caused by workers ascending too rapidly from high-pressure environments. Emily quickly grasped the engineering principles and medical concerns, directing adjustments in worker shifts and ascent practices that dramatically reduced cases of the bends.
Through the 1880s, Emily was the literal bridge between her sick husband and the construction site. She relayed his instructions to the team and dealt with a slew of bureaucrats, ensuring the bridge stayed afloat both financially and physically. When politicians and businessmen doubted her, she armed herself with facts, figures, and a steadfast demeanor that eventually won most of them over.
And in 1883, when the Brooklyn Bridge finally opened, Emily was the first to cross it. It wasn’t just a walk across the river; it was a victory lap for every skeptic who ever doubted a woman’s resolve.
So, let’s set the record straight: Emily Warren Roebling didn’t just help build a bridge—she broke down barriers of doubt and led one of the most significant engineering feats of her time. Not too shabby for someone who was supposed to be just assisting, right?
Women build bridges 