Pittsburgh Women In Nuclear - WIN

06/19/2025

Happy Freedom Day!

Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the U.S. when the last enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom in 1865.

This is an important date for Black Americans and key in both American and world history. It honors the enduring contributions, culture and resilience of those who fought for freedom and equality.

Celebrate! 🥳

06/03/2025

Happy PRIDE!

🏳️‍🌈 This Pride Month, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and brilliance of our LGBTQ+ colleagues in nuclear.
At U.S. Women in Nuclear, we believe inclusion powers progress—because a diverse industry is a stronger, safer, and smarter one. 💪⚛️

04/29/2025

Let me share my experience after Tschernobyl accident. In that time I just started working in the Institute of Nuclear Physics in Kraków Poland and my boss sent me to check the level of radiation outside of the buildings with GM dosimeter. This was a couple of days after we learned about the accident and after a rainfall. Our local radio station warned us not to be outside when the rain came since the clouds came from the East and they can carry some radioactive Cs-137 and Co-60. They were right that this rain brought some radiation down to the ground. the dosimeter showed that the level of radiation were the highest at the sidewalk curbs since the rainwater felt down from the sidewalk. I had to change the scale from the lowest to second low....that means it was still relatively low but above the background. I remember also checking people's shoes soles and yes, they were also above the background. The dose was small but detectable (Jaga Urban-Klaehn, INL)

04/26/2025

04/05/2025

Be sure to register for U. S. Women in Nuclear's spring professional development seminar on April 17th from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. EST as we talk about new safety features in advanced reactors and the benefits they can offer the industry.🤓
https://shorturl.at/ECXHk

03/27/2025

Last, but not least. Our final leading group member to close out WHM Women Highlight Wednesday:
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Chelsea Javorsky Smith
Co-Chair Professional Development Westinghouse- Pittsburgh
US WIN Professional Development Committee
US WIN Awards & Recognition Committee
Supervisor- Enterprise Risk Management

I wasn’t inspired to join the nuclear industry by one specific person, but rather by the collective dedication of my colleagues. Every day, I am motivated by their passion and the positive impact they are making toward a sustainable, clean energy future. Their commitment fuels my own drive to contribute to this vital industry.

03/27/2025

Next up we have
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Bailey Hoover
Public Outreach Co-Chair
Senior Environmental Specialist
I began my career in nuclear with a summer safety internship at Westinghouse, which led to a co-op and, immediately following my graduation, a full-time position. I have met and been mentored by many talented people who have helped me grow and expand my career as an EHS professional. Seeing the impact I have had at all levels of the organization and the future plans for the industry motivates me to advocate for nuclear and the endless opportunities it continues to present. Being part of the leading group also gives me the chance to speak about my career path and show that nuclear needs many different professions to be successful, and that we all have an important role to play in contributing to this industry.

03/27/2025

Women’s History Month has been flying by & we forgot that yesterday was Wednesday! Today’s day late Women Highlight Wednesday is kicked off with:
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Monica Angoff
Treasurer, WIN Westinghouse - Pittsburgh
Customer Account Manager, Global Markets Americas Region

Starting when I was an industrial engineering student at the University of Dayton, I’ve had numerous women who inspired me throughout my studies and career. I joined the first social sorority for women engineers, Phi Sigma Rho. This sorority is now nationwide for women and non-binary students in STEM fields. Our motto is “Together we build the future” which I’ve carried with me throughout my various companies and positions. One of my sorority sisters, Alisha Eilers, showed me early on how important it is to be a role model and mentor not only in your career but in the community. Mentoring the younger generations is extremely rewarding and inspires me every day. My time mentoring our interns, other college students and even coworkers has given me a higher sense of purpose and fulfillment. I have a passion for connecting people, cultivating relationships, and forging forward progress to build a better future for generations to come. As Oprah Winfrey said, “Passion is the log that keeps the fire of purpose blazing.”

03/19/2025

Next up on Women Highlight Wednesday!
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Sydney Green
Professional Development Co-Chair
Project Engineer, AP300 and AP1000
I was inspired in my career path during my senior year in high school when I participated in Kennametal Young Engineers Program, which drove me to pursue an engineering career. That same year, I attended Introduce a Girl to Engineering (a Westinghouse WIN Public Outreach event), which inspired me to learn more about the nuclear industry and ultimately motivated me to become part of the nuclear workforce upon earning my bachelor’s degree in engineering

03/19/2025

Today’s first Women Highlight Wednesday post!
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Shawnna Brassard
WIN-Pgh Public Outreach Co-chair
OMS-Outage and Field Services, Steam Generator Resource Manager

Sometimes, life takes you on unexpected paths that turn out to be the most rewarding. I initially got an internship with dreams of working in aerospace, but fate had other plans. My internship led me to nuclear fuel research at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, and eventually, a full-time position at a nuclear shipyard.
What truly inspires me in this field is the unwavering commitment to safety and the culture of rigorous engineering. Ensuring both nuclear and personal safety is a responsibility we all share, and it’s a principle that resonates deeply with me.
As Hyman Rickover wisely said, “Responsibility is a unique concept... You may share it with others, but your portion is not diminished. You may delegate it, but it is still with you.”
Embrace the journey, cherish the lessons, and always strive for excellence. 🚀🔬💡

03/18/2025

For Women's History Month, join us in celebrating women in the nuclear energy industry.

03/18/2025

out: retiring nuclear plants 👎
in: restarting nuclear plants 👍