Coal Country Women in STEM Scholarship

Growing up in a family that worked in coal mining, even though most had quit by the time I was born, shaped how I understood work, risk, and community. In my area, coal mining wasn’t just a job; it was a way of life that influenced every family. I grew up hearing stories about what happened in the deep mines, both good and bad. The miners formed close bonds underground, but there were always risks of injury or worse. One story from my Pa has stayed with me for years. Before he left coal mining, the mine hit a pocket of gas and a single spark set the shaft on fire. He got everyone out safely, but his boss told him to go back in for the equipment or lose his job. That moment showed me just how dangerous industry could be and how little protection workers sometimes had. For a long time, it made me think the industry was hopelessly unsafe. Years later, working for a coal mining company during a two-summer engineering internship gave me a unique perspective. Interacting with miners at both surface and underground sites helped me understand the complexity of their work and the challenges they face every day. The more time I spent onsite, the more I realized how essential engineering is—not just for efficiency, but for the safety of the people who risk their lives to keep our lights on. I saw how the industry needs improvement, whether through better monitoring systems, more reliable equipment, or safer ways to manage coal stockpiles and energy. Seeing these issues firsthand made me understand that STEM isn’t about technology; it’s about protecting people. This past summer, I also saw how coal affects other industries in my area through the production of metallurgical coke. Watching raw coal transform into a product essential for steelmaking helped me understand how interconnected these industries are. Decisions made in mining ripple outward, affecting manufacturing, transportation, and entire regional economies. Seeing this broader picture made me realize how much room there is for innovation, especially through mechanical engineering. Being a mechanical engineering major has given me the tools to understand how machines behave under stress, how systems fail, and how design choices directly impact human safety. It has shown me how even small improvements- better ventilation, more accurate sensors, safer equipment layouts can make a stark difference. Growing up around coal mining gave me a deep respect for the people who work in these environments, but studying engineering taught me that respect alone isn’t enough. Real change comes from designing better systems and refusing to accept unsafe conditions as inevitable. I plan to use my education to help create safer and more efficient industrial environments. Whether through improved safety protocols, better equipment design, or more effective operational planning, I want to contribute to solutions that protect workers and strengthen the industries that support my community. My goal is to help bridge the gap between traditional industries and modern engineering practices, bringing innovative ideas into spaces that have relied on the same methods for decades. Ultimately, growing up in a coal mining family didn’t just influence my interest in STEM—it gave it direction. It taught me that engineering has the power to protect, improve, and transform. And it showed me that even in the most traditional industries, there is room for innovation that honors the past while building something safer and stronger for the future.