Rita Harrold became the first woman President of the IES in 1985, seventy-nine years after the IES was established. Rita discusses her trailblazing career which includes a long turn as the IES Director of Knowledge.

Trailblazers and Icons is an inspiring and informative series of interviews with some of the lighting communities’ most recognized thought leaders, teachers and practitioners and others. The interviews, conducted by IES Fellow Daniel Blitzer, elicit from each interviewee their major contributions to lighting and their perspective on some of the major issues currently facing the lighting industry. Additional interviews will be added to the series each year with a handful of others who have blazed a trail in lighting.