Page 6 - West Virgina 811 Magazine 2021 Issue 2

Ketha Molina
WTexas811 Damage Prevention Manager
ho are the Leading Women of Damage Prevention? We are! Our newly formed organization, in association with the DPC of Texas, is a social enterprise designed for the
advancement and discovery of leadership for all women who have an interest in the protection of underground infrastructure. We come from all aspects of the industry; oil and gas, one-call, construction, utilities, pipeline, municipal and county, engineering, line locating, and many other related fields, all with some tie to utility and pipeline damage prevention.
Much of my career has been in construction, an industry where women comprise a mere 10% of the workforce. My many years as Safety Director serving a male dominated workforce provided my vision for creating the Leading Women of Damage Prevention (LWDP). As I pivoted from building infrastructure to protecting infrastructure, my life experience has taught me many things. My top three industry life lessons would be these:
1) You must learn the business in which you are working.
2) Do not self-reject. (yes, apply for the job. Yes, write the article and submit it. Yes, speak up with your ideas at the meeting)
3) Invest in You. The more you invest in your education, your support system, your learning, your hands on experience, the better equipped you will be to take on a formal or informal leadership role.
We, Ladies, are working in male dominated industry and
need the tools, networking, and mentorship to help us excel. The LWDP invites you to join us as we work towards our mission “to influence and encourage all women in the damage prevention industry to be bold, confident and brilliant through collaboration, empowerment and networking.” Let’s - Be Bold. Conficent. Be Brilliant. - Together.
Let’s - Be Bold.
Be Confident.
Trust your senses.
Outside or in, detecting a natural gas leak is easy.
To help you SMELL a leak from a gas line or appliance, a familiar odor like rotten eggs is often added to natural gas.
A leaking pipeline might also make a hissing sound you can HEAR.
Or you might SEE blowing dirt, bubbling water or an unusual area of dead vegetation.
Suspect a natural gas leak?
First move your feet! Then call when you are down the street.
Also remember to call WV811 by dialing 811 at least 48 hours before digging on your property. And if you suspect a gas leak – walk away, right away. Once clear of the area, call Dominion Energy West Virgina at 1.800.688.4673.
Learn more at dominionenergy.com, keywords Natural Gas Safety.
Be Brilliant. -
Together.
Our Purpose:
To provide educational and development opportunities for those who seek to advance as leaders.
To optimize engagement with leading innovators and subject matter leaders in this industry.
To facilitate discussions of leader competencies and best practices, led by experts in the field.
To create a supportive environment.
When asked, “What tip would you give to our Leading Women?”, Shakheana Fields, LWDP Vice President said; “I recently heard in a webinar, after a woman gets past the glass ceiling she’s standing on glass”. We all know the feeling within that analogy. Let’s make it a point to lay the cement for the future ladies in damage prevention.”
For questions regarding the launch webinar, organizational and individual membership, sponsorship and/or comments, go to www.dpcoftexas.org or reach out directly to KethaMolina@ Texas811.org
4 • West Virginia 811
2021, Issue 2