Cheryl Porter has shattered a historic barrier by becoming the first African American woman to lead the American Water Works Association (AWWA) in its 143-year history.
Porter, the chief operating officer for the Great Lakes Water Authority, graduated from the University of Michigan in 2016 with a Bachelor’s in Chemistry and began her journey into the professional water world as a junior chemist.
She said it took a minute to realize the environmental impact she was making in her new position.
“I’m writing down numbers for the senior chemist making treatment decisions, and I realized that’s water going to my house,” Porter said. “That’s my family or friends I’m protecting. Once I made that connection, I think that’s where my career began.”
Porter said the job helped her appreciate how access to clean water is a luxury that not everyone in America has access to, noting that many of the communities impacted by drinking water issues are the Black communities.
Porter highlights the unseen sacrifices of her team, inviting public tours to foster understanding and appreciation. The demanding nature of the water sector, requiring around-the-clock commitment, is often overlooked, she said. “They’re making sacrifices to ensure that the service is being provided to everyone,” she said.
Porter attributes her perseverance to her father’s military discipline and the support of female mentors who inspired her to thrive in male-dominated environments. This drive fuels her advocacy for Black women’s representation in STEM. Engaging with students during career days, she emphasized the Black community has skills that can drive positive change.
“I’ve always had a woman in that situation encouraging me to continue and make a difference, to contribute and give back where you can,” she said. “Just being there and being present makes a difference. It allows other young Black females to see me in that role who wants to meet that same challenge.”
She credits her chemistry high school teacher, a woman who did not allow her to get away with shying away from those science fairs or challenging presentations, for inspiring her “go out and make a difference” mindset.
Porter’s presidency at AWWA will focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as part of a new strategic plan to create a welcoming environment.
“One of the messages I’ve tried to carry through is making the one person that looks different feel welcome and that they belong here,” she said.
Porter’s term lasts just one year, and she hopes to implement changes that have long-lasting impacts and can continue after she’s done being president. She said helping people of color and women feel they belong in the STEM space can help lead to the organization’s goal of a better world through better water.
“I try to make people think about making the one person that looks different than anyone else feel welcome and that they belong here,” Porter said. “They’re here for a reason because the one thing we have in common is our passion for water.”