Barbara Jackson, Vernia Hawthorne and
Jewel Minor entered the wastewater profession from different areas, but they had one thing in common: determination to succeed.
It wasn’t always easy. There were few women at the utility where they worked, and those who were there didn’t stay. The three stayed with it and now have many years to show for it. Today, they operate the Shockoe Retention Basin for the Richmond (Virginia) Department of Public Utilities.
The 35 mgd basin captures stormwater during heavy rains and can prevent untreated water from entering the James River. If there is a flow surge, the retention
