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Women's History Month Spotlight: Tina Marquez

Women’s History Month isn’t just about looking back. For industry pioneers like Tina Marquez, it’s a time to look to the future. Reflecting on a successful career at Nicor Gas, Tina hopes to inspire her children, grandchildren, and girls in STEM to shatter glass ceilings.

Tina’s hard-earned hardhat sits atop 30 years of experience in a typically male-dominated field. After working as a stay-at-home mom for six years, Tina joined the company reading gas meters for what was then called Northern Illinois Gas. Tina carved her own path growing into multiple leadership positions at what is now Nicor Gas, worked as a distribution mechanic in Crystal Lake, ultimately landing her in the role of Superintendent of Central Region Transmission in Elk Grove.

With her two young children in tow throughout much of her early career, she chose to view any hurdles as learning opportunities.

 

“For my children growing up with a working mom, especially one working in a male-dominated industry, showed them there was no societal ‘norm’ that could keep them from cultivating a life they wanted for themselves - more so for my daughter,” Tina said. “I taught her that it’s OK to pursue a non-traditional job and to be strong and not feel intimidated. At the same time, I wanted my son to see that his mother could do a physical job and hold her own, and it taught him to respect and advocate for women no matter what line of work they’re in.”

 

Camp GADgET - Girls Adventuring in Design, Engineering and Technology

Nicor Gas employee teaches Camp Gadget program students what she does in the field. Nicor Gas employee teaches Camp Gadget program students what she does in the field.

Camp GADgET – Girls Adventuring in Design, Engineering and Technology – holds a special place for Tina as summer program that exposes middle and high school girls to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Tina served on GADgET panels introducing girls to potential futures in manufacturing and engineering, and she views the program as a launchpad for young women leaders.

“I am a huge advocate for young ladies participating in these camps,” she said. “These girls are the future, and the more they see women in non-traditional jobs, the more inclined they will be to take that leap of faith. I hope that I can inspire, mentor, encourage and develop confident, strong leaders for the future of our organization and our industry.”