Zoos and aquariums across the nation share a vision to create a world where all people will respect, value and conserve wildlife and wild places. It takes a tremendous collective effort — what feels like moving mountains — to work toward that vision, and women serve an integral part.
The women of Shedd are wonderful, so it’s no wonder that their work to make the world a better place seems superhuman. Women across the organization, like Andrea Oake, Kristen Neria, Karen Murchie, Lindsey Young and Lana Gonzalez, are applying their many skills and talents in their respective fields to achieve one unified mission.
This Women’s History Month, take inspiration from these wonder women of Shedd blazing trails in their own unique ways for the good of the natural world.
Andrea Oake, Supervisor of Cetaceans
Shedd: What does being a woman in your chosen field mean to you?
Andrea: It's a chance for me to inspire the next generation of women to connect with the natural world and work to protect and preserve it.
Shedd: Who is your favorite historical female figure? What do you admire about her?
Andrea: Rachel Carson — She was a writer and ecologist best known for increasing public awareness of the potential dangers synthetic pesticides pose to the environment. Before her work regarding pesticides, however, she researched oceans and advocated for their importance and conservation. I also admire her dedication to teaching others to admire the beauty our planet has to offer. She's been credited as helping start the environmental movement.
Kristen Neria, Director of Exhibit Services
Shedd: What does being a woman in your chosen field mean to you?
Kristen: I ended up in my field because I love art and creativity, but I also wanted my work to have an impact on my greatest passion, which is wildlife. This job combines those two loves perfectly! It’s important for me to be an example of someone who follows their passion, especially for young girls who aren’t aware of all the possibilities.
Shedd: Who is your favorite historical female figure? What do you admire about her?
Kristen: Rosalie Barrow Edge — She was a suffragist, naturalist and conservationist. I admire her because she took action and created Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, the world’s first preserve for birds of prey. She was an inspiration to other environmental activists like Rachel Carson. She was very proactive and didn’t want to wait for wildlife to become endangered or rare before protecting them.
Karen Murchie, Director of Freshwater Research
Shedd: What does being a woman in your chosen field mean to you?
Karen: The field of fisheries biology has historically been male-dominated and I’ve already seen a marked shift in the last 20 years. Diversity enriches all fields and I’m grateful to contribute what I can and help make space for others to do the same.
Shedd: Who is your favorite historical female figure? What do you admire about her?
Karen: I’ve drawn most of my inspiration from contemporary women in the fisheries field. If I had to pick one woman, it would be Julie Claussen who has been a mentor and friend for 16 years. Not only is she an incredible field biologist, she is very active in service to the fisheries community in so many ways.
Lindsey Young, Senior Graphic Designer
Shedd: What does being a woman in your chosen field mean to you?
Lindsey: Graphic Design is a field that is becoming increasingly accessible to women, so I have had the joy of learning alongside many other talented women both in university (when I was studying Industrial Design) and as I progressed my career. It is definitely inspiring to see women distinguishing themselves in this field and I hope that the field continues to diversify so that more cultures and creative approaches can be represented to make the world of graphic communication more beautiful and accessible to everyone.
Shedd: Who is your favorite historical female figure? What do you admire about her?
Lindsey: My favorite historical female figure is Ching Shih, the famous Chinese pirate, for being one of the most successful pirates in all of history (look her up!). Another important historical figure I admire is Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who made her presence felt in a male-dominated field and fought relentlessly and loudly for the causes she believed in, leading the rhetoric for women’s rights on a national stage.
Lana Gonzalez, Manager of Penguins and Sea otters
Shedd: What does being a woman in your chosen field mean to you?
Lana: I hope I can inspire others to go for their dreams.
Shedd: Who is your favorite historical female figure? What do you admire about her?
Lana: Corrie Ten Boom — She was arrested and imprisoned by the Nazis for hiding Jews in her home during the Holocaust, but she showed love and forgiveness toward those who had persecuted and tormented her in a concentration camp before she was eventually released.