Beatrice Hicks, American engineer (died 1979)

Beatrice Alice Hicks was an American engineer, the first woman engineer to be hired by Western Electric, and both co-founder and first president of the Society of Women Engineers. Despite entering the field at a time where engineering was seen as an inappropriate career for a woman, Hicks held a variety of leadership positions and eventually became the owner of an engineering firm. During her time there, Hicks developed a gas density switch that would be used in the U.S. space program, including the Apollo Moon landing missions.

January 2 is the second day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 363 days remain until the end of the year.