At 27, Diana Kidzhi became a chief mate onboard a Russian nuclear icebreaker. Ms. Kidzhi will set the path the gigantic vessel will take through the Arctic Ocean.
Kidzhi is the senior-most woman in Russia’s expanding nuclear icebreaker fleet and is breaking stereotypes in a country where several male-dominated professions continue to be off the limits of women.
However, Ms. Kidzhi has been reluctant to talk about sexism, as she chooses to focus on determination to excel in the job.
Earlier, Kidzhi wanted to be part of the Russian navy, but Saint Petersburg’s Naval Institute was still closed for women.
Nevertheless, another maritime university that specializes in commercial shipping opened up a course to women students when she completed her schooling.
Soon after graduating, Kidzhi had been invited to be part of an icebreaker fleet. In 2018, she eventually joined the “50 Years of Victory” and began her journey on a nuclear-powered ship.
