Wonder Women of Solid Waste
October 24, 2022
Recently, NRRA's Senior Member Services Representative, Bonnie Bethune, joined two NRRA board members and other amazing women in the business of solid waste and recycling on a panel discussion hosted by the NH Department of Environmental Services. The goal of the "Wonder Women of Solid Waste" Solid Waste Operator Training was to learn from speakers and encourage more women to join the solid waste industry. Many panelists started working in other roles with their town and then grew into their position. With several decades of experience among them, these women shared a wonderful depth of insight and thought about their roles and experiences in the solid waste management field.
We captured some of our favorite quotes from the event.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR JOB:
- Joan Cudworth, Hollis Director of Public Works & NRRA Board President: “The day flies by, I’m getting a good workout, and I’m making a difference.”
- Meghan Theriault, Gilford Director of Public Works: “I’m combining all the things I love in my job.”
- Bonnie Bethune, NRRA Senior Member Services Representative: “For anyone who has any ambition, there’s always something to do.”
ENCOUNTERS AS WOMEN IN SOLID WASTE:
- Shauna Goutier, Sanbornton Transfer Station Manager: "A male resident told me to, 'Get me the guy in charge.' I replied, 'Well, your guy is a girl, and you’re looking at her!’”
- Meghan Theriault, Gilford Director of Public Works: "People will say to me, confused, 'You’re the director?'”
WHY HAVE YOU STAYED IN YOUR ROLE:
- Joan Cudworth, Hollis Director of Public Works: “The unknowns of solid waste still intrigue me.”
- Denise Cumings, Hookset Recycling and Transfer Station Crew Chief: “I love the residents and I want to make it a better place when I leave.”
- Erin Paradis, Barrington Transfer Station Administrator & NRRA Board Member: “I absolutely enjoy and love what I do.”
ADVICE FOR WOMEN THINKING OF THIS CAREER PATH:
- Monique Jevne, Wilmot Transfer Station Attendant: “I never did anything like this and that’s OK...I wish I had found this forty years ago!”
- Bonnie Bethune, NRRA Senior Member Services Representative: “I would be Aquawoman and I would clean up all the plastics in the ocean.”
NRRA also received several shout-outs as providing great resources for operators to connect and share information with each other, including our members-only email listserv and our recycling conference.
