Celebrating Women's History Month | Jessica Matthews, Zeta Phi-Harvard
By Archivist/Historian Diane Hall, Eta Upsilon-Drexel
During Women's History Month, we celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of extraordinary women who have left a lasting impact on society. Among these barrier-breakers are the Notable Delta Gammas, who have advanced our mission of doing good and left lasting legacies in various fields, from business and politics to arts and philanthropy. This month serves as a reminder to honor their achievements, inspire future generations, and reflect on the collective power of women who continue to shape our world.
“If ever there was an innovator, she's it.” Said Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States of Jessica O. Mathews, Zeta Phi-Harvard. A dual citizen of the United States and Nigeria, a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business School, and an innovator in sustainable energy, Jessica’s work is awe-inspiring, and her accolades are numerous. She was named Scientist of the Year by the Harvard Foundation in 2012, Innovator of the Year by Black Enterprise in 2013, one of the Forbes magazine’s 30 Under 30 in 2014, and one of Inc. magazine’s 30 under 30 in 2016.
Before all the awards and global praise, she was an undergraduate student at Harvard. While visiting Nigeria for her aunt’s wedding, Jessica saw how consistent access to electricity was a problem for many people. Later, she recalled, “Regardless of your socioeconomic status in Nigeria, several times a day, you can expect to lose power… .And I think for me, it really hit a point of frustration I recall at my aunt's wedding, and that day we lost power and outside of my aunt's house we had a diesel generator running and I remember feeling like I was choking.”
One day, Jessica was paired with another student for a class project. Drawing on her experience at her aunt’s wedding, they created the SOCCKET, a soccer ball that stores energy. This led to Jessica founding Uncharted Play in 2011, a company to create energy-generating products. The company later changed its name to Uncharted and is now a software-as-a-service (SAAS) sustainable infrastructure company that creates solutions to improve the efficiency and accessibility of energy, water, air, transit and connectivity infrastructure. Jessica’s leadership doesn’t stop with Uncharted. In 2016 she founded the Harlem Tech Fund with the mission to, “serves Harlem community members through education and career support in STEM, innovation, and entrepreneurship.” She also co-founded KDDC to develop a hydropower dam in Nigeria.
Jessica’s work on global infrastructure and accessible power sources will be felt for generations around the world. Her work embodies Delta Gamma’s motto: do good.
Is there a Delta Gamma you think should be included on our Notable Delta Gamma’s list? Submit their name for consideration by filling out this form.