[vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]As an employee in the oil and gas industry, I am very aware of the stereotypes of the “roughnecks, truck drivers and ditch diggers” that are often used to blanket the types of jobs available and the types of individuals who do them.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]And as a woman working in the industry, I am even more aware of the perception that this male-dominated industry has very few options for women looking to get involved. Heck, my own mother raised her eyebrows at my choice of employment: “So…do you have to wear hardhats and drive a truck?” Not exactly, but I do love my steel-toed boots![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]What’s overlooked is just how many lives the natural gas industry touches; all genders, all ages, geologists, rig hands, quarry workers and the list goes on and on. Once you factor in the indirect jobs and benefits created by shale and where the added money is being invested around the community from royalty payments it’s really amazing. Local businesses are seeing an increase in profits and schools are introducing new degrees that will help the next generations stay in the area with the hundreds of new jobs created in the area.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Energy InDepth created a video highlighting the stories of three women and their families who living in northeastern Pennsylvania and how the Marcellus Shale industry has impacted their families for the better.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]These three amazing women are far from alone in their stories. Last month, over 100 women met in Williamsport to discuss their ties to the industry and celebrate their place in the industry’s diverse workforce. Their hope is to change the perception of the industry (and hopefully my mother…) and encourage other women to explore employment options alongside them.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]More and more women are coming together to share their stories of how the Marcellus is part of their lives, much like this Facebook group: Roughneck Wives of NE Pennsylvania.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Have a great story of your own that you’d like to share? Contact the folks at EID and let them know – they’d love to learn more about you![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Brittany Thomas – Coordinator, External Affairs for Cabot[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]