When Dresden Station started its own local U.S. Women in Nuclear (WIN) chapter in 2013, about 20 members came to an inaugural event. The chapter fell to the wayside until 2016 when a new sponsor was assigned to the group and membership grew. Dresden WIN hosted some professional development sessions and a summer networking picnic. During 2016, the chapter saw 30 members attend at least one meeting and 14 attended at least two meetings.

In 2017 the chapter really picked up steam. Members were getting out into the community to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM), in local schools. Along with smaller webinar and TED talk presentations, Dresden hosted two keynote professional development sessions: Women’s History Month with Braidwood Site Vice President Marri Marchionda-Palmer and Plant Manager Amy Ferko; and Delivering the Nuclear Promise with Susan Landahl, Senior Vice President, Organizational Effectiveness and Performance Assessment. Last July Dresden WIN hosted a Pink Lemonade Stand, raising over $5,000 for Breast Intentions of Joliet. In 2017, over 110 people attended at least one meeting and nearly 60 people attended at least two meetings.

Already in 2018, Dresden WIN has hosted a professional development TED talk, networked with Dresden North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN) members, talked to the community about nuclear power at Morris Family Fun Fest, and educated local students with Breakfast with an Engineer. For Women’s History Month, JoEllen Muntz, Vice President of Organizational Performance, visited the site to talk about Exelon’s involvement in the HeForShe initiative. Also for Women’s History Month, famous women in science have been highlighted in the chapter’s Friday Fun Facts: Lise Meitner is someone you should know!

The Dresden Women in Nuclear chapter h