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Conference Spotlight
2025 ANS Winter Conference & Expo
November 9–12, 2025
Washington, DC|Washington Hilton
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Empowering the next generation: ANS’s newest book focuses on careers in nuclear energy
A new career guide for the nuclear energy industry is now available: The Nuclear Empowered Workforce by Earnestine Johnson. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience across 16 nuclear facilities, Johnson offers a practical, insightful look into some of the many career paths available in commercial nuclear power. To mark the release, Johnson sat down with Nuclear News for a wide-ranging conversation about her career, her motivation for writing the book, and her advice for the next generation of nuclear professionals.
When Johnson began her career at engineering services company Stone & Webster, she entered a field still reeling from the effects of the Three Mile Island incident in 1979, nearly 15 years earlier. Her hiring cohort was the first group of new engineering graduates the company had brought on since TMI, a reflection of the industry-wide pause in nuclear construction. Her first long-term assignment—at the Millstone site in Waterford, Conn., helping resolve design issues stemming from TMI—marked the beginning of a long and varied career that spanned positions across the country.
VIEW RECIPIENTSSUBMIT NOMINATION
Nomination Deadline
August 1
Presented at the
Winter Conference
Monetary Award*
$1,000
The Mary Jane Oestmann Professional Women’s Achievement Award recognizes the outstanding personal dedication and technical achievement by a woman for work she has performed in the fields of nuclear science, engineering, research or education. This award is made to recognize outstanding achievements by women who might not have the tenure or visibility to be considered for other awards of the Society.
The award is to be given to a woman whose work in the field of nuclear science, engineering, education or research meets the following criteria:
Nominees may be from any nation, but they must not be deceased at the time the awardee is selected and need not be ANS members, but should be affiliated with the nuclear community in some manner.
The award consists of an engraved plaque, $1,000* monetary award, and compensation (up to $1,500) for travel expenses incurred in attending the award presentation at the ANS Winter Conference.
*In lieu of a cash award, recipients can opt for travel reimbursement up to the award amount.
The Standing Committee on the Role of Women in ANS established the Women’s Achievement Award in 1988. It was approved by the Honors and Awards Committee and the Board of Directors in June 1990. This action was taken to fulfill a need to provide role models to students and younger members of the Society, as well as to stimulate greater interest and participation among female members.
Dr. Mary Jane Oestmann, an ANS Fellow, pledged $25,000 in 2001 and her name was added to the title of the award.
Nominations must include the completed nomination form accompanied by the following supporting documents:
View Award
