#SheCanSTEM: Meet Juanita Ford

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.