Get Strong and Support OTI With Fulcrum Fitness!
Sign up for the Fit Life Challenge and Fulcrum Fitness will donate half the proceeds back to Oregon Tradeswomen!
Open to everyone 18 and over, the 2017 Fulcrum Fit Life Challenge is a fun and motivating way to burn fat, build muscle, and have a great time getting in shape. Join the Challenge and get six weeks of strength-building, fat-melting boot camp and small-group personal training sessions as well as the chance to win a $1,000 membership credit you can spend on any type of workouts you want!
In addition to the grand prize, we’ll also be giving away a two-month Small Group Personal Training membership runner-up prize, as well as motivating weekly prizes from our community partners, including MYZONE belts, chiropractic treatments, naturopathic services, Fulcrum gear, and more!
The Fulcrum Fit Life Challenge runs from April 3rd – May 15th and costs just $97 for new members. Registration ends April 14th, so sign up today and be sure to list Oregon Tradeswomen as your referral source:
Visitors from Korea Learn about OTI’s Training Program!
A few weeks ago at Oregon Tradeswomen, we were honored to host 4 women from Korea who are leaders in journalism-print and television, government, and environmental policy. We had an engaging conversation about OTI’s pre-apprenticeship program and OTI staff answered all of their thoughtful questions about construction in the western part of the United States.
After our wonderful conversation about the construction trades, we suited up in our personal protection equipment (PPE: hand-hats, safety glasses, and ear protection) and took a walk to see OTI’s pre-apprenticeship students in action. We were lucky enough to see OTI’s class during their first “hands-on day” and got to see students learning to use a variety of tools including: jigsaw, chopsaw, table saw, safety lifts, and more! During a break for our hard working students, the Korean visitors had a chance to ask questions and hear directly from women planning to enter careers in construction. One of our students even got to practice her Korean language skills!
The Korean visitors were thrilled to meet our students and as staff, we are always excited to tell stories of how our graduates are breaking down barriers and shattering glass ceilings and concrete floors!
OTI’s Annual Meeting: February 2, 2017!
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
RESCHEDULED to Thursday, February 2, 2017
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Oregon Tradeswomen
3934 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Suite # 101
Portland, OR 97212
OTI can’t exist without the support of our membership base, our allies, and supporters. We depend on members to support OTI’s efforts, to guide the decisions of the organization, to contribute financially to the organization, to volunteer, and much more!
We hope you can join us in January to enjoy some social time, great Mexican food from La Cocina, voting on new OTI Board members, hearing about the highlights from 2016 and learning what OTI hopes to accomplish in the new year!
OTI will provide dinner and non-alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase from the restaurant bar.
Questions? Please contact Lisa Palermo, Development Director at lisa@tradeswomen.net or 503.335.8200 x 38
OTI Alumnae Spotlight: Meet Echo Dahl!
Just before the economy took a turn for the worse in 2009, Echo Dahl moved to Portland from Arizona, to put her bachelor’s degree in Architecture to work. Unfortunately, what she encountered was a lay-off followed by five years of searching for work. While unsuccessful in finding a job, she was determined to make it on her own, and as a way to make ends meet, she bartended part time and was able to persist by living off the tip money she earned as well as some public assistance.
Echo first heard about OTI at a job fair she attended but the timing was not right because she had just given birth to her son, Onyx. She never lost the thought of a career in the trades, though, and Echo returned to OTI a couple years later – after she made the decision to pursue a career as a carpenter. She was hopeful that she would make more money than the $37,000 per year she was once able to earn in architecture.
After graduating from OTI’s Trades and Apprenticeship Career Class in 2013, Echo knew she would need a car in order to get to and from job sites, she made the somewhat difficult decision to give up her apartment and move in with her mother so she could use her damage deposit and tax return to buy a car.
“OTI was instrumental in my new career”
Echo now works as a project engineer for Pavillion Construction. She supports the project manager and superintendent on job sites. She was able to reach her goal of earning $60,000 a year just four years after starting OTI’s pre-apprenticeship class. When asked how OTI has helped her get to where she is today she said, “OTI was instrumental in my new career. I worked as an architecture intern and never knew my current position existed until OTI sent me on my first interview. This role essentially mirrors my old position with the (architecture) firm but it’s MUCH more fun. I get to be on site, see the construction happen, and be involved. And it PAYS better!!”
Echo was totally inspired by the trainers at OTI and her fellow tradeswomen during the TAC program. When asked what advice she would have for other women who are considering work in the trades, she said, “I tell anyone who will listen that the trades are a much smarter route than college. My college education helped me get where I am today, but if I had pursued carpentry out of high school, I could have reached the same goal while making much more money along the way and without the 50k in debt that will forever be my albatross.”
“I went from an unemployed single mom living in an apartment just barely making it to a successful mom with a new house and a great job. I’ve finally reached all my big goals after many years of struggling. OTI made that happen.”
Echo’s future career aspirations include becoming a superintendent or project manager. She is thankful for finding OTI during a time in her life when she was searching for a new path. In her own words, “I went from an unemployed single mom living in an apartment just barely making it to a successful mom with a new house and a great job. I’ve finally reached all my big goals after many years of struggling. OTI made that happen.”
Community Event: An Oregon Agenda for Racial, Gender, and Economic Justice
OTI staff members Emma Brennan and Brynn Hall attended the Oregon Agenda for Racial, Gender, and Economic Justice on December 1st. The event was held at the historic First Baptist Church on Vancouver Avenue and was put on by Oregon’s Fair Shot for All Coalition and the Oregon Health Equity Alliance (OHEA) with the goal of reaffirming our community’s commitment to racial and economic justice.
Amidst the political turmoil our country is facing during the post-election season, Kathy Wai of the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon urged audience members to continue the fight for equality stating that “our resistance and solidarity is crucial” during this time. Further powerful speeches were heard from Amira Streeter of the Urban League of Portland, Nancy Haque of Basic Rights Oregon, and Tom Chamberlain of the Oregon AFL-CIO.
A bold 2017 legislative agenda was announced with the hopes that Oregon can continue to lead the country in it’s fight for racial, gender, and economic justice for all Oregonians.
- Cover all Kids promises insurance coverage for all Oregon children so they can thrive in school and start on a pathway to success in their lives.
- End Profiling aims change the culture of policing in Oregon to make neighborhoods safer and communities stronger by funding and creating the system needed to identify patterns of profiling and enacting accountability mechanisms to address profiling when it occurs.
- Paid Family Medical Leave will ensure that Oregonians can welcome a new child or take care of their own or their family member’s serious health needs without losing the income their family relies on.
- Reproductive Health Equity will ensure that preventative reproductive health coverage is available at zero out of pocket cost for the people who have been categorically excluded from health programs due to citizenship status and/or gender expression.
- Stable Homes for Oregon Families will prevent no-cause evictions and repeal the ban on rent stabilization in order to help working families maintain housing stability and curb homelessness.
It was inspiring to see the community come together to fight for racial, gender, and economic equity and it is our belief that this legislative agenda will positively affect tradeswomen and their families. Visit the Fair Shot for All website for more information about how to get involved to make Oregon a state where everyone has opportunity.
OTI Alumnae Spotlight: Meet Brooklyn Payne
“OTI gave me the tools, but I did the work!” – Brooklyn Payne
Brooklyn, third from the left, at the 2016 annual OTI Women in Trades Career Fair
Brooklyn grew up in Spokane, Washington. She has a fantastic adventurous spirit that led her to travel around the United States after high school as well as living in Costa Rica for an extended amount of time. After her travels, she moved to Portland to live near her mother and sister who had relocated to the Rose City while she while she was traveling.
Before starting Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc.’s (OTI) Trades and Apprenticeship Career Class (TACC), Brooklyn spent 12 years working as a bartender without benefits like health insurance that are a common perk in other careers. The highest hourly wage she made in the food and beverage industry was $9.75 an hour. Brooklyn also took college courses and accrued considerable student debt, but was unable to find the hands-on education she craved.
As Brooklyn entered into her 30’s she wanted a change: she recognized that bartending was a dead end for her and would not provide her with the means to retire some day. She heard about OTI from a friend who had also gone through the TACC program, and kept it in her mind. One day in 2014, she made the decision to commit to her future and officially enrolled in OTI’s pre-apprenticeship training program – she was 34 years old.
“OTI was pivotal for me, and has everything to do with where I am today.”
Just two years later, Brooklyn is now working for Hoffman Structures Inc. as an apprentice carpenter on an exciting new project for Oregon Health and Sciences University. Brooklyn is 80% through her apprenticeship and is currently making $29.75 per hour! She feels great leaving work every day knowing that she is able to take care of herself and that she earned it with hard work and dedication. When asked how OTI helped her get where she is today, she said, “OTI was pivotal for me, and has everything to do with where I am today.” OTI gave her tangible skills, unconditional support, and the confidence to find a career in a field she would not have considered otherwise. But, Brooklyn also recognizes that her own internal drive and motivation to invest in her future played an important role in where she is today: “OTI gave me the tools, but I did the work!”.
“OTI gave me the tools, but I did the work!”.
When asked what advice she would give to other women considering a career in the trades, she enthusiastically replied, “You can do it! It is possible!” She also wisely advised women to keep in mind that although female workers in the trades are still relatively uncommon, any doubts that might be experienced about entering this industry are no different from doubts that would be felt in pursuing any career or career transition. She loves being a woman on the construction site, and has found a sisterhood of support though the local carpenters union.
Future goals for Brooklyn include journeying out as a carpenter, becoming a foreman, and eventually working her way up to superintendent and she has unwavering confidence in her abilities to achieve these goals.
Guest Blog: JCL Live Northwest 2016
JLC LIVE—the premier regional trade-only event for the remodeling, home building, and light construction industries—brings The Journal of Light Construction magazine to life through LIVE on-floor building clinics, classroom-style training sessions, and the ability to meet one-on-one with the industry’s top building product manufacturers.
JLC LIVE Northwest 2016 will take place December 1 and 2 with our conference program kicking off November 30th, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. Experience JLC LIVE for yourself with a FREE Expo Pass or one of our popular conference packages provided to you at an introductory rate! Visit our website to register and use the promo code to receive special pricing only available to blog readers!
All the Education and Training You Need—In One Place!
Whether you need hand’s-on carpentry training or need to know how to run your business smarter, the JLC LIVE Northwest Conference Program has exactly what you need. From top-notch contractors who will teach you finish carpentry tricks, uses of recessed lighting, and lessons on jobsite communication, the JLC LIVE instructors are industry experts.
All sessions in the program are centered on the topics of carpentry, sales, marketing, human resources, and business financials. With over 40 sessions, attendees are able to tailor a schedule to meet their specific needs. There are also several networking opportunities available during the three days of conference and two days on the expo floor. There really is something for everyone!
See what education we have to offer here!
The Heart of All the Action—The JLC LIVE Expo
JLC LIVE sets itself apart from other area trade-only events with the ability to incorporate our education program into our LIVE-ACTION building clinics and manufacturer-led product demonstrations on the expo floor. Our esteemed clinicians and manufacturers give step-by-step instructions during the on-floor presentations that showcase their expertise and techniques, utilizing the newest innovative products and technologies that our industry has to offer—all across eight lively stages.
Combined with over 70 product manufacturers and service providers, this event provides remodelers, home builders, and other light construction pros the best knowledge and tools necessary to adapt to the ever-changing world of residential construction.
Take a look at our schedule and come get inspired!
You’re Invited to OTI’s Fall 2016 TACC Graduation!
Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. cordially invites you to attend the Trades and Apprenticeship Career Class Graduation and celebrate our most recent cohort of pre-apprenticeship graduates!
Date:
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Time:
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Location:
PCC Metro Workforce Training Center
The Auditorium
5600 NE 42nd Avenue
Portland OR 97218
Click for the street address on Google Maps
Light appetizers & cake will be served
Fall 2016 Trades and Apprenticeship Career Class Graduates
Jay Broady
Lyssa Brosig
Chelsey Callaghan
Sabrina Carter
Dana Dee
Jinnie Freeman
Marcie Harris
Niki J Johnson
Alana Kansaku-Sarmiento
Kalise Kenyon
Tiffany Latham
Michelle Lifvendahl
Torre McGee
Ashley Magnus
Sasha Melendez
Shannon Olsen-Horchy
Liv Pollock
Linda Salholm
Becca Schulze
Shanti Speer
I.O. Stiles
Ginsy Stone
Brittany West
Funding for our program is provided by:
Autzen Foundation, Bank of America, Collins Foundation, Construction Apprenticeship & Workforce Solutions, Inc. (CAWS), DeArmond Public Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, IBEW Local 48, Joseph Weston Foundation, Multnomah County, Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon Department of Transportation, Pacific Power Foundation, Peterson Foundation, Portland Development Commission’s Economic Opportunity Program, Portland Parks and Recreation, Samuel Johnson Foundation, Spirit Mountain Community Fund, The TJX Foundation, Trio Foundation of St. Louis, The Portland Water Bureau and Hoffman Construction through the Community Benefit Agreement, Women’s Bureau–U.S. Department of Labor, Women’s Foundation of Oregon, Worksystems, Inc., industry donations, and individual tradeswomen and supporters. Thank you!!
An Important Announcement from Connie at Oregon Tradeswomen
I wanted you to be among the first to know I am planning on retiring as the Executive Director of Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. (OTI) in Spring of 2017 and scaling my involvement to allow for more work life balance.
Since 1989, I have dedicated my life to building and running an organization that has had an immense impact on the lives of thousands of women, girls, and their families. The work of OTI has also had a distinct influence on Oregon’s construction industry and other trades. I’ve come to the time in my life when I want more leisure for gardening, hiking, and spending more time with my spouse and other family and friends.
This transition has been well planned over the last 5 years with the help of the board of directors, consultants, staff, and a rigorous strategic planning process. It’s the right time for OTI because…
— I will still be involved with national policy through serving as co-chair of the Taskforce on Tradeswomen Issues and conducting training, providing technical assistance and other consulting services to help employers, apprenticeship programs, unions, and government agencies diversify their workforces, and assisting CTE trades program to attract and retain more women and girls.
— I plan to stay involved with OTI as a mentor, advisor, connector, and anything else the organization might want from me – just not the day-to-day oversight of the organizations operations. I, along with the rest of the OTI team, have accomplished a lot over the last 20 years:
- More than 1,000 women have graduated from our Pathways to Success pre-apprenticeship program
- We will host our 25th Annual Women in Trades Career Fair in 2017
- OTI has vastly increased visibility of the trades as a viable career for women. Oregon’s percentage of women in registered apprenticeship is 6.8% – more than double the national average, and the apprenticeship programs we work with most closely have over 9% women.
- Approximately 33% of all of Oregon’s female apprentices are graduates of OTI’s pre-apprenticeship program.
OTI is in the process of expanding the training and consulting services we will offer to employers, apprenticeship programs and CTE trades programs. Our services will assist employers in not only recruiting women, but also in helping those employers retain women workers and encourage them to advance in their careers.
OTI has a solid team of experienced and skilled staff, and our Board of Directors are strongly committed and represent a diverse group of tradeswomen as well as business and non-profit professionals. I have every confidence that they will continue their great work and keep OTI growing strong as a resource for our community.
I will be staying on full time until the new Executive Director is hired and will continue to work closely with OTI’s partners and collaborators. After the new Executive Director is hired, I will reduce my hours to part time until the new Executive Director is fully situated.
I want to thank you and all of our supporters, past and present. This work is far from over and I encourage all of you to stand strong with Oregon Tradeswomen into the future as we help prepare a strong workforce who just happen to be women. I hope we can count on you for your continued support and partnership, and your help in getting the new Executive Director situated.
In gratitude for all your past support and partnership,
p.s. Stephanie Basalyga, Editor of the Daily Journal of Commerce, published a story about my planned retirement. Read the story online!
UPDATE:
Here is a link to the ED job description and application instructions.
Guest Blog: Building a Brand for Women
Recently, Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. kindly agreed to make a Facebook post on behalf of TOUGHER – the new brand of women’s workwear I am launching. The post explained that I am looking for a more authentic ‘fit model’ – a woman who works in skilled trades to critique the fit of our workpants and put them through the paces to learn how they perform in the field. In the post, I also included a link to a survey to ask other questions that will guide decision making in regards to fabric color. As a startup, I will be limited in the array of colors I can purchase ahead of manufacturing, and I would like the first pant to be the most desirable color.
To the women on OTI’s Facebook page who took the time to leave comments or fill out our survey – thank you! It is clear that women in skilled trades are as frustrated as I am with the poor fit and few options in the current workwear options for women. In fact, this is the very reason I founded TOUGHER in 2015!
The measurements we asked for our fit model was a hot button issue for some, and I certainly understand why! I have found that of the 400 women I have interviewed nationwide, the silhouettes of women’s bodies vary widely and sizing is a common source of angst. I commonly receive impassioned requests from women for shorter/longer inseams; garments cut for curvy/no-curves women, and everything in between. It makes perfect sense. There is no set shape and size for women, either!
My strategy to address this has been to collect body measurements from women in trades or DIYers on which to base TOUGHER’s sizing and fit. To date, my patternmaker and I have identified at least two fit styles to create for our consumers during our first phase (curvy/athletic and straight-cut). We also made the decision to buck the national apparel company trend by refusing to make our mid-point a size 4 or 6. Instead, we selected what may be regarded as a size 8 or 10 as the mid-point for the fit model, and then our sizes can be expanded up or down for the other sizes. It’s important to note that we will be using the same commonsense sizing men have long enjoyed, which uses exact waist and inseam measurements. Vanity sizing has no place with TOUGHER. Our women are practical and precise in their fields, and so are we.
That initial Facebook post on OTI’s page seeking a fit model did not yield anyone in the Portland, Oregon area. Yet, despite the difficulty of finding women in skilled trades who are willing to prototype our garments, we will continue to press on until she steps forward! (Hint hint…). An easier path would be to simply hire a professional fit model as many other brands do. However, this person would not represent the women we serve. Women in the trades put their apparel through its paces day in and day out at 10+ hours each work day. The women we serve have muscles from squatting, lifting, dragging, and carrying equipment, livestock, and the like. They gain, lose, and maintain weight depending on the season, terrain, project, and time of the month. Therefore, our fit for women who work with their hands will likely be different from everyday apparel.
In short, we are striving for authenticity in not only what products we offer women, but even how we size those products. Our success in this depends on women willing to step forward and share what they need. Large companies are difficult to communicate with and prompt change from. TOUGHER is different.
Help us build a brand women are served well by. We’re listening and we very much want to hear from you!
Thank you,
Stacey Gose
Founder & CEO, TOUGHER
Stacey@weartougher.com | weartougher.com | @weartougher