A Woman in Industry

September, 30th 2022- ongoing

In 2014, I became aware that I entered a Man’s World; the world of industrial craft. 

A major moment that introduced me to the challenges I was about to embark on was delicately and eloquently commenced by my undergraduate Sculpture professor, Jessica Teckemeyer. For both our first woodworking and metalworking projects, she intentionally created field trip experiences for gathering materials from our local supply stores. Before our trips, she educated us on characteristics of materials to look for, common questions about measurements, and how to navigate the warehouses. Looking back, I know this was to help empower young women to feel confident navigating masculine environments. This is a prime example of a powerful and educated woman supporting emerging women in industry to feel safe and supported in spaces that question the power and ability that feminine bodies have in industrial spaces. 

8 years later, I am the first female to work my job position. I run a collegiate maker space in Portland, Oregon, equipped with a 6,000 sqft woodshop, metal shop, foundry, digital fabrication lab, and more. My power, education, and qualifications are frequently undermined by the simple fact that I am female. I have a love/hate relationship with having to address that I am in charge, when folks assume the masculine folks are higher than me. I have received empowering comments like “Young women in our society need to see women like you who are succeeding in a highly masculine industry.” I am incredibly proud and grateful to be a female representative that now works to change the narrative and impact the environments many women feel insecure in. 

So I guess the intention of this writing is to share the experiences, thoughts, growth, and advice I’ve learned while navigating this spectrum and thinking through a series of projects I am interested in pursuing in this conversation.