Pittsburgh Women You Need to Know

In honor of International Women’s Day, we put together a list of some famous women from the Pittsburgh area. From scientists, to politicians to musicians and everything in between, we hope these ladies will make all of our female readers proud to be a Pittsburgh woman!



Nellie Bly

Journalist

International Women's Day

Nellie Bly was the pen name of Elizabeth Cochran Seaman, was a journalist. When she was just 20 years old, she was hired by the Pittsburg Dispatch. She was hired because she wrote a piece voicing her opinion on equality of the sexes. Bly was also a writer, industrialist, inventor and worked for various charities. She was known for her trip around the world in just 72 days (like in Around the World in 80 Days). She was born in Cochran’s Mills, which in modern day is now a part of Burrell Township in Armstrong County.



Laura Karet

CEO, Giant Eagle

International Women's Day

Karet took the reins of the grocery store chain from her dad David just five years ago. Since then, she’s launched the high-end Market Districts and is hoping to expand to more stores, doubling the $9.7 billion revenue by 2024. As CEO of Giant Eagle, Karet runs the 35th largest private company in the U.S.



Heather Arnet

CSO, Women and Girls Foundation

International Women's Day

The Women and Girls’ Foundation, located in Station Square, is run by Arnet. Arnet has been with the foundation for 13 years. She’s worked tirelessly for gender and minority representation in the ‘burgh and pushed for equal pay not just in our city but throughout the entire country.



Dawn Keezer

Director, Pittsburgh Film Office

International Women's Day

Ever wonder who’s been bringing all those movies and TV shows to the city in the past few years? Dawn Keezer has managed to get just around 100 productions to Pittsburgh. She heads the Pittsburgh Film Office, a business that has been in the city for 21 years.



Patrice Matamoros

CEO, Pittsburgh Marathon

International Women's Day

Matamoros was instrumental in bringing back the Pittsburgh Marathon after a five-year hiatus. She has grown the event from 10,500 in 2009 to a whopping 41,000 in 2016. Matamoros has inspired a whole new generation of Pittsburghers to get active and healthy!



Jennifer Bullano Ridgley

Senior director of communications, Pittsburgh Penguins

International Women's Day

As of 2011, Ridgley was the only female in the NHL at a director-level position. The Point Park alum earned her MBA there and now serves as senior director of communications for the Pittsburgh Penguins. She was the only female in the Pens 2009 Stanley Cup photo as well. How cool is that?



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