MLGW has 2770 employees; 752 (27%) are women. Of the 752 women, 143 (19%) hold STEM positions. On the second Tuesday of every month, we will introduce you to a different woman working in STEM at MLGW.
Juanita Ford grew up in Walls, Mississippi. She graduated from Horn Lake High School
and later Christian Brothers University with a Bachelors of Science in Civil
and Environmental Engineering and a Masters of Education in Instructional
Design
She started at MLGW in 2003 as an Environmental Engineer in the Environmental Affairs Department. She
was responsible for the environmental compliance for the Division
Currently Juanita is the Acting Supervisor of Water Operations (in the Water Engineering and Operations
group). Along with her team, she is responsible for the operation and
maintenance of MLGW's 10 water pumping stations, 20+ water booster stations, 16
water overhead storage tanks, 190+ wells and all the necessary equipment to
treat the drinking water within each water pumping station.
We
asked Juanita a few questions to get to know her better.
What's
interesting or cool about what you do?
I get to
see our drinking water from the ground and prepare it for customer
consumption. Most customers never think about what it takes to get
drinking water from the aquifer to their homes. In Water Operations, I am
able to see and improve this process every day.
Why
would you encourage girls to pursue STEM careers?
Because
why not? The STEM industry needs more diversity and female
perspectives.
What advice
would you give your younger self?
Two things -- 1) Get comfortable being uncomfortable and 2) ask
questions until you understand -- it is very likely that some guy in the room
has the same questions.
Did you miss our other installments of #SheCanSTEM? Meet Arnisa Davis, Kelsey Seiter, Debra Higgins, Kerry Roy and Cynthia Jones.
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