KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Madeline Patrone, Christie Sudduth and Tina McAnally are three women who have found their places in fields typically dominated by men.
As employees of United Cleanup Oak Ridge, better known as UCOR, these trailblazers are dismantling history at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Y-12 National Security Complex and the East Tennessee Technology Park.
"You’ll see people’s old desks when you are tearing these buildings down or you may see a sign," McAnally said. "It really makes you think about who put their time and their lives into building the Manhattan Project."
McAnally, a wife and mother of four, is the only woman heavy equipment operator at UCOR. Patrone, a personal chef on the side, is the sole woman carpenter. Along with Sudduth, they are building the foundation for women in their fields, bringing with them valued skills and talents.
"I like coming up with different solutions that make it easier for us to work. I tend to try to find solutions like that," Patrone said.
Sudduth manages a family while overseeing more than 100 engineers at UCOR. She says no more than six of those engineers are female. She’s determined to change that.
"One of the goals I have is, how do we bring in more female engineers? How do we retain more quality talent? They do exist," Sudduth said.
The three women have the same message for women of all ages, who, like them, want to break with tradition.
"There is nothing that men can do that women can’t," Sudduth said. "So, if it interests you, go out and do it."