Women face prejudice and harassment everywhere, but in male-dominated industries, it's relentless.
As a rebellious teen and so-called "problem child," my future seemed bleak-until I discovered welding. This unexpected passion transformed my life and gave me a new sense of purpose.
Excelling in fields dominated by men, I worked in auto shops and on construction sites. My innovations were openly credited to male workers, for which they were rewarded. Entry-level male coworkers I trained were promoted over me. When I decided to go further, my dedication and talent often met with resistance: I worked "too hard," gave "too much," and was deemed "too ambitious" for seeking higher education. When promotions came, they brought criticism for not smiling enough. Standing up for myself in the face of verbal and physical harassment led to my punishment and overt hostility as male colleagues deflected the blame away from the abuser.
Eventually, I realized the issue wasn't me-it was the environment.
Amidst the challenges, I forged lifelong friendships with fellow women and learned to navigate hardship to find triumph and joy-and myself.
In
The Truth about Being a Woman in Construction,
I share my struggles and successes in a male-dominated field. If you find yourself in a similar situation, I hope this book encourages you and helps you know that you're not alone.