Introduction

From the outside, oil and gas can look like one of the most traditionally male industries. Current LinkedIn data suggests the workforce is roughly 76 percent men and 24 percent women, reinforcing that perception. Yet throughout the sector’s history, women have been quietly shaping its direction - pushing boundaries in science, engineering, journalism and leadership long before gender diversity became a recognised priority. For Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating some of the trailblazers whose contributions laid the groundwork for today’s energy landscape and opened doors for the next generation.

Elisabeth “Betsy” Parker – The First Woman Petroleum Geologist

In 1917, Elisabeth Parker became the first woman petroleum geologist hired by a major US oil company. At a time when the field was almost entirely male, her appointment during the First World War marked a watershed moment.

 

Her legacy:

  • Broke one of the earliest gender barriers in oil exploration
  • Proved women could excel in technical, scientific roles
  • Normalised the presence of female geoscientists in the industry

While her story is less widely known, Parker’s impact endures every time a woman steps into a field role, research lab or exploration team.

Edith Whatley McKanna (1899–1986) – The “Lady of the Oil Patch” and Entrepreneurial Force

Founding an oil company in post-war West Texas was bold enough. Striking oil with the very first wildcat well - and going on to manage 86,000 acres of leases within four years - positioned Edith McKanna as a singular force in mid‑20th‑century oil.

Often arriving at drill sites in a white hat and gloves, she became a media sensation and a symbol of female entrepreneurial power.

 

Her legacy:

  • One of the first women to own and operate an oil company
  • Demonstrated commercial and operational leadership in a male-dominated business
  • Showed that women could thrive not just in technical roles, but at the helm of exploration ventures

Her motto captured her relentless approach: “If the deal was hot, you had to get there.”

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Wanda Jablonski (1920–1992) – The Oil Journalist Who Helped Shape Global Energy Politics

Wanda Jablonski wasn’t just reporting on oil - she was influencing it. As the founder of Petroleum Intelligence Weekly, she built relationships with Middle Eastern leaders and Western oil executives at a time when few women were allowed into those rooms.

Her reporting and ability to foster dialogue contributed to the environment that led to the creation of OPEC in 1960.

 

Her legacy:

  • Raised global understanding of oil‑producing nations’ interests
  • Encouraged communication among industry and political leaders
  • Proved the vital role journalists play in shaping energy policy

Energy historian Daniel Yergin called her “the most influential oil journalist of her time” - and it’s easy to understand why.

Dr Christine Ehlig Economides (born 1950) – A Technical Trailblazer in Petroleum Engineering

As the first American woman to earn a PhD in petroleum engineering, Dr Christine Ehlig‑Economides helped create the technical foundations used across the industry today. Her work in drilling, reservoir simulation and well testing has had global impact.

 

Her legacy:

  • Advanced critical technologies in drilling and reservoir management
  • Led research that improved recovery and productivity
  • Mentored generations of engineers in both industry and academia

Her influence is felt every time a well is designed, tested or optimised using modern engineering methods.

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Vicki Hollub (born 1960) – The First Woman to Lead a Major Oil Company

Vicki Hollub made history in 2016 when she became CEO of Occidental Petroleum - the first woman to lead a major US oil and gas company. Her leadership blends operational expertise with a strategic focus on the energy transition, including Oxy’s investments in carbon capture technology.

 

Her legacy:

  • Shattered one of the industry’s highest glass ceilings
  • Led one of the decade’s largest oil acquisitions
  • Positioned a major energy company towards a lower‑carbon future

Hollub’s success continues to signal that leadership pathways in oil and gas are expanding - and that women are at the forefront of shaping what comes next.

Why These Stories Matter Today

These stories remind us that while women still represent only around a quarter of the global oil and gas workforce, their influence has always been far greater than the numbers suggest. The pioneers who came before didn’t just carve out space for themselves, they reshaped the sector through innovation, leadership and sheer determination. As we mark Women’s History Month, it’s worth recognising that the industry we see today has been shaped by women whose contributions were often overlooked at the time. Their legacy continues to push the industry forward, and it’s now up to all of us to ensure the next generation of women has the visibility, support and opportunity they deserve.

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