GetWise Celebrates Women’s History Month!

At GetWise, we value the contributions of women in the workplace and in the world. Caring for the planet is vital, and women play a significant role in this effort. As part of the education team, we recognize how important it is to educate students and provide their families with the resources they need to reduce their energy consumption. Throughout history, women have worked tirelessly to help families, protect the environment, and restore areas affected by human activity.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’d like to highlight a few inspiring women who have made significant impacts in these areas.

Lisa Jackson

Lisa Jackson was the first African American to serve as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), holding the position from Jan. 23, 2009, to Feb. 19, 2013. During her tenure, she empowered the EPA to establish stricter regulations on carbon dioxide emissions, emphasizing the connection between environmental health and human health.

Dr. Maria Telkes

Known as the "Sun Queen," Maria Telkes was a pioneer in solar energy. Originally from Hungary, she moved to the United States to become a biophysicist and holds over 20 patents related to heating and cooling. Her innovations make her one of the most influential figures in solar energy development post-World War II.

Katharine Burr Blodgett

Katharine Burr Blodgett was the first woman hired by General Electric Research Laboratories in 1918. She contributed to a team that revolutionized the properties of glass to reduce glare. Her scientific advances are utilized in many glass products today, including LED lightbulbs, which use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs.

Dr. Lei Cheng

Dr. Lei Cheng is a chemist and energy storage researcher at Argonne National Laboratory and the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research. She is passionate about advancing a cleaner energy future and was instrumental in creating the Electrolyte Genome database. This database enables scientists to identify and select molecules that are suitable for next-generation battery technologies.

We’d also like to highlight Nonette Surbaugh, the DSM Coordinator for the Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO). We work with her as part of the PSO Energy Savers program, and she has shown herself to be dedicated to educating students and families on energy conservation. PSO is an excellent company that works hard to contribute to the community around them, and Nonette goes out of her way to make sure that every school in need of information on energy conservation has access to the curriculum they need. Nonette, along with PSO, work hard to make sure their community can take care of the Earth for the years to come.

What women in your life have helped shape your community? Are you working to make your community a healthier place?

Happy Women’s History Month!