I am Gen X. I grew up in a household with a pseudo-1950s vibe. My father worked, and my mother kept house, but it wasn’t a rigid dynamic. My father wasn’t at all authoritarian, thank heavens, and while my mother held traditional roles, she had her own strong personality and was well respected. It was a structured but pleasant household, not one defined by strict gender rules or control. Over time, my mother joined the workforce to bring in extra income, but for the most part, my parents embraced the structure of the world they knew and lived life the way they had been shown.
Like many women of my generation, I started my working life in pantyhose and pump shoes. Remember the high-heeled, closed-toed, no-white-after-Labor-Day numbers? Oh, I do! I wore dresses to complete the proverbial uniform. Slacks? Definitely not. I followed the conventional path of office work — administrative roles, support positions, the “women’s work” that had been deemed acceptable for decades. I didn’t question it at first because I had my eye on another prize, which we’ll get into later. However, in that role, it was just how things were, and it was in keeping with an unspoken tradition.
Yet, as I moved through different industries — construction, Fortune 500 companies and now propane — I began to see a broader picture. While I had spent years fitting into a mold, I started noticing the cracks forming. Change was happening — slowly, but surely. And the propane industry, often thought of as a hardline, male-dominated field, has unexpectedly been one of the most forward-thinking of them all.
The Forward-Thinking Mindset of the Propane Industry
We all understand that propane is an industry historically associated with men. It’s hands-on, physical work requiring a skill set that was assumed to belong exclusively to them. While I don’t personally know many of the women out in the field handling installations and deliveries, I see women in leadership and management roles — overseeing operations, guiding teams and making strategic decisions that shape the industry’s future. Their contributions are well respected by both men and women. (And just between you and me: I, for one, am happy I don’t have to handle the 1,000-gallon propane tank installs!) It’s not about replacing men or proving one gender is better than the other; it’s about recognizing that a diverse workforce where men and women contribute their strengths creates a stronger, more successful industry. Seeing women in leadership roles in propane is an example of real progress, and it’s exciting to watch and be a part of.
For most of my career, I have worked in support positions — first as a receptionist, then in administrative roles, working behind the scenes while others made the final decisions. That wasn’t because I lacked ambition. Don’t laugh — I fully believed I was going to be a rock star. Yes, really. And I pursued that dream with everything I had. But while I worked toward that goal, I built a career supporting others, refining my skills, and proving my value in every role I took on.
My sister chose a different path — she’s brilliant, earned her MBA and is chief of staff at a major credit union. Many of my peers followed this traditional path of education, climbing into C-suite roles with the credentials to back them, and I couldn’t be prouder of these women.
Alternatively, I learned through experience, rising through the ranks and ultimately stepping into my role as executive director of the New Jersey Propane Gas Association.
And here’s the thing: Whether in a support role or a leadership position, women have historically been given less regard than their male counterparts. A woman in a C-suite position may find herself constantly having to prove she belongs in the room. A woman in an administrative role may be overlooked altogether. The bias may not always be overt, but it lingers in subtle ways.
However, in the propane industry, I’ve seen something different. Men and women in this field, for the most part, respect each other. There isn’t the same sense of competition between genders that you might see in other industries. It’s not about who holds the power in the same company — it’s about working together toward a shared goal. And in propane, that shared goal is often fighting a bigger challenge: government regulations, unstable energy policies and industry-wide changes that impact everyone. I see this every day in New Jersey.
There’s Still Room to Grow
That’s not to say there isn’t still some pushback. Occasionally, you still come across someone who holds onto outdated gender roles or struggles with the idea of a smart woman making her way in the industry. There are some who seem to have a need to engage in a power struggle, finding fault where others see strength, treating confident women as adversaries rather than allies. And let’s not ignore the flip side — some women, shaped by their own experiences, enter a room expecting bias and, as a result, stay guarded and defensive. The reality is both perspectives exist, and they can and often do influence how we interact in professional spaces.
But in my personal experience as a woman in this industry, those attitudes account for maybe 2% of the people I encounter. The other 98%? They are respectful, open-minded and collaborative. They value my input, listen to my ideas and trust my expertise. If I do run into resistance, I sometimes wonder if it’s my own sensitivity playing tricks on me, or if it’s simply a case of someone needing to prove something — because let’s be honest, there’s always that one person.
Women Making a Difference
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the brilliant women whom I have met and/or interacted with who are leading the way, whether as CEOs, marketing directors, sales professionals, office managers or in countless other vital roles. Women like Christina Armentano, Lauren Clark, Bridget Kidd, Erin Hatcher, Christine Hutcherson, Maril Olsen, Cheryl Lytle, Laurel Bunn, Shelby Bell, Whitney O’Toole, Jennifer Jackson, Staci Rammel, Laura Pollis, Corrine Walker, Robyn Prasek, Meredith Maury, Stacy Silvers, Kirstain McArdle, Margaret Hiatt, Donna Howay-Germond, Beth Hoover, Faith Hofma, Rita Pecilunas, Joanna Randazzo, Becca Gibbons, Kate Gaziano — all are setting new standards of leadership and support in the propane world. Their intelligence, resilience and commitment to this industry inspire not just me, but everyone who values progress. Each of them, in their unique roles, has made a lasting impact on this industry.
Of course, there are many more women across this industry who are shaping its future — some I have yet to meet, and others whose impact is felt even if their names aren’t listed here. They are seen, and their work matters. Together, they are helping to move this industry toward greater success.
History has shown that when women step forward, progress follows. They bring more than just their skills; they bring fresh perspectives, collaboration and a natural inclination toward building stronger, more cohesive communities. In many ways, women have always been at the forefront of societal progress, whether in education, health care, industry or, dare I say, governance. They have often been the ones to bring balance, mediate and guide humanity into new, more progressive eras.
In propane, this is unfolding in real time. Women in this industry are not just adapting to change; they are leading it. They are finding innovative solutions, fostering connections between businesses and communities, and ensuring that safety, sustainability and progress remain at the heart of what they do. They are heard, respected and quite confidently holding their own. The actual heavy lifting may still be physical and typically male-dominated, but leadership, innovation and strategy? Those are open to anyone with the vision and determination to drive meaningful progress.
From my own perspective over the last few decades, the history is rich, and I’m fortunate to have grown up in the Gen X era to witness and contribute to this evolution — although now, happily comfortable in slacks!
