Four Women Who Have Made A Mark In Renewable Energy

In honor of Women's History Month, we've been sharing on Facebook and Twitter the stories of four women who've made their mark in renewable energy. These individuals are making an impact in green economics, environmental policy, and in the solar and wind industries. Check out each of their stories below.

JANE WEISSMAN

"CEO of Interstate Renewable Energy Council and Solar Industry Leader"

Since the mid-1980s, Jane Weissman has been a leader in the solar industry. Since 1994, she has served as the President and CEO of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), a non-profit organization working to promote broader use of clean energy.

Weissman has been involved with renewable energy policy at many levels. She has chaired the national Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference since 2006 and Congress has invited her to provide expert testimony before the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.

She has also received the prestigious Charles Greeley Abbot Award from the American Solar Energy Society and the Renewable Energy World's Leadership Award in policy.

MEGAN SMITH

"First female Chief Technology Officer of the United States"

Megan Smith has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT as well as an impressive resume. After graduating from college she worked at a variety of start-ups, including Apple in Tokyo and Planet Out, where she was later named CEO. In 2003, she joined Google where she served as Vice President of Googlex and General Manager of Google's philanthropic unit, Google.org.

In 2014, Smith was tapped to serve as Chief Technology Officer of the United States. She keeps the administration up-to-date on technological innovation and is a leader in innovation herself. In fact, she has contributed to engineering projects, such as solar cookstoves and a space station construction program.

She was also a member of the MIT student team that participated in the first cross-continental solar car race. As part of that team, she helped designed, build and race a solar car 2,000 miles across Australia.

KATHLEEN ROGERS

"President of Earth Day Network, an international organization of environmental activists"

For more than two decades Kathleen Rogers has worked as an environmental attorney and advocate. Prior to her tenure at Earth Day Network, Rogers held high-ranking positions with the National Audubon Society, the Environmental Law Institute and two U.S. Olympic Organizing Committees.

She is a board member of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).Rogers has helped Earth Day Network become a key leader in the new green economy as an accomplished policy and activist organization.

JAN BLOMSTRANN

"CEO of NRG Systems and Leader in Wind Energy for Almost Three Decades"

Jan Blomstrann has been active in the wind industry since the 1980s. She is currently CEO of Vermont-based wind measurement company NRG Systems. In addition to its manufacturing strengths, NRG Systems has been recognized for its innovative workforce practices and benefits that promote environmental consciousness among employees. The U.S. Green Building Council has recognized two buildings at the NRG Systems headquarters for LEED Gold designations.Women of Wind Energy named Blomstrann "Woman of the Year" in 2006, the first to receive this distinction. In 2012, the White House recognized her as a Champion of Change and she also received the 2013 Terry Ehrich Award for Excellence in Socially Responsible Business.

She is a volunteer leader for Women of Wind Energy, the American Wind Wildlife Institute and the Institute for Sustainable Communities.