It is International Women’s Day!

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. This important day has occurred for well over a century, with the first International Women’s Day gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, this belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. International Women’s Day is not country, group or organization specific. (https://www.internationalwomensday.com/)

Here at UGI Energy Services, we honor the tremendous accomplishments of women throughout history, as well as the strides we have achieved towards gender equality. Our company acknowledges the importance of women’s rights and diversity in the workplace, encourages the continued movement toward equality, and is committed to work to engage all women – and men – to take part. We are proud to have hired such wonderful women, in all fields and studies. At UGI Energy Services, we have women working in areas anywhere from Marketing and Sales, to Operations and Government Affairs. They play a vital role in all departments within our company.

Today, specifically, we would like to highlight the amazing women in our Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematical (STEM) departments. We have asked them what encouraged them to get into the STEM field, and here are their responses!

Kelly Beaver | Vice President of Energy Marketing & Supply
I was encouraged to get into STEM because my grandfather was an Engineer and I always enjoyed math & science. My Mom pushed me to go into Engineering because she knew it would open up a lot of opportunities for me and she was raised to ignore stereotypes. I also liked trying to compete with boys and bust the myth that women didn’t belong in STEM.

Rena Heim | Senior Engineer
Being an engineer allows me to be creative while ‘coloring within the lines’ of science. Each project is a new puzzle that needs to be solved.

Margaret Drda | Engineer
I don’t think that this is something that is specific to women in engineering—but rather it is universal. At some point, the love affair with math and science begins—and then you find out that you can turn it into a career.

Amber Holly | Environmental Project Manager
After graduating college, I pursued a career as an environmental consultant, using my environmental biology degree to conduct various surveys - e.g. wetlands, watercourses, habitat surveys for rare, threatened, and/or endangered species - and developing various permit applications, conducting environmental inspection oversight etc.   I worked primarily for clients in the Energy sector, and did some work for UGIES when they permitted and constructed the Auburn Line Extension.  Almost 6 years ago, I was offered an opportunity to come work at UGIES, and have never looked back!