Women in Nuclear Canada is pleased to present the 2020 Harriet Brooks Award to Carla Carmichael of the Durham Chapter and Ontario Power Generation.

The annual Harriet Brooks Award (previously called the WiN-Canada Award) recognizes a member who has/have made an outstanding leadership contribution to the success of WiN Canada. The WiN Canada Award has been renamed the “Harriet Brooks Award” in honour of Harriet Brooks’ life and work, as she continues to inspire women who work in all aspects of the nuclear industry. Ms. Brooks was the first woman nuclear scientist in Canada; defying the odds in a male-dominated field. Her research discoveries were so important that they became foundational to subsequent research findings by other notable physicists. Ms. Brooks faced discrimination as a woman who wished to simultaneously have both a career and a family at the time, when this aspiration went against traditional views. She was posthumously recognized in 2002 as an inductee to the Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame.

WiN Canada Award winners are strong ambassadors for the organization and effectively supported WiN Canada’s objectives:

• To develop a dialogue with the public to promote awareness around the factual contribution to people and society from nuclear technologies.
• To contribute to knowledge and experience exchange among members and chapters.
• To promote career interest in nuclear engineering, science, technology, the trades and other nuclear-related professions, especially among women and young people.

Carla is a strong advocate for the nuclear industry, is active within her Chapter, and supports the career development of many as a mentor.

Congratulations Carla!