2016 DJC Newsmaker – Editor’s Choice Award

Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. (Sam Tenney/DJC)

Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. (Sam Tenney/DJC)

OTI was absolutely honored to be named a 2016 Newsmaker by the Daily Journal of Commerce (DJC). We were even more thrilled to be named as the Editor’s Choice!

The list of honorees are selected by the DJC editorial after they discuss the people, companies and projects covered covered during the previous 12 months as well as those expected to make headlines during 2016.

In an interview with DJC Editor Stephanie Basalyga, OTI’s Executive Director Connie Ashbrook explained that the services and programs OTI provides are more important than ever.

“There’s more need out there than we have the capacity to serve, both on the part of women that come in our door … and employers,” Ashbrook said. “When our students are ready, they just fly out the door. Employers are hungry for our graduates.”

Read more of Connie’s interview on the DJC website.  Thank you to the DJC for this incredible honor!

Congratulations Willamette West Habitat for Humanity!

2016NeighborhoodBuilder_habitat

Last year, OTI was awarded the Neighborhood Builder grant from Bank of America which allowed us to launch Women in Metals & Manufacturing to introduce women to careers in the manufacturing sector! We now want to extend our congratulations to Willamette West Habitat for Humanity who just received this year’s Neighborhood Builder award!

We know they will make a big impact with their critical home repair initiative in Washington County neighborhoods and the whole community will benefit from their dedication to creating more affordable housing options for individuals and families.

Watch the official announcement on AM Northwest!

Oregon AFL-CIO’s Labor Candidate School: Jen Netherwood

20160312_165729

Jen receives her certification for successfully completing Labor Candidate School

The incredible Jen Netherwood is at it again! On Saturday March 12, 2016 she graduated from the Oregon AFL-CIO’s Labor Candidate School(OLCS). The goal of OLCS is to increase the representation of union members in elected office in Oregon who will pass policies that uplift and support the middle class.  The commitment to this program includes several months of training on how to run a successful campaign and fundraising for their own tuition! This does not mean the participant can just fund their own tuition, they are required to go out into their communities and raise the money to participate.

Jen began her journey in advocacy by first standing up for women’s rights to be in non-traditional environments and workplaces through coaching women’s soccer and teaching OTI’s Trades and Apprenticeship Career Class. In 2014, Jen attended Construction Equity Day with students from OTI, Constructing Hope, and Portland Youth Builders. It was there in Salem when she realized she could create relationships with her legislators. This started a long process of Jen fighting for a pre-apprenticeship program at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility.

OTI is very proud and honored to be affiliated with this incredible woman. Please join us in congratulating her on her hard work and look forward to her run for office.  One day, she may be our governor! (All of the graduates had to give a speech as if they were currently running for office and Jen chose governor.)

New Tradeswomen Hiking Group

Wahclella Falls (Jeff Black)

Wahclella Falls (Jeff Black)

Last year at the Tradeswomen Leadership Institute, there was a workshop called “Visions for a Better Worksite”. During this workshop, small groups discussed what they thought would help tradeswomen stay in the industry. For one of these groups, creating community among tradeswomen was the clear answer:  Community to provide support, a place to share experiences, and a venue to eliminate feelings of isolation.

In this moment, the idea for Bitchin’ Hikes emerged. Hiking and Oregon are a natural pairing and it turns out so are tradeswomen and hiking! Beatrice Jenkins, Lori Baumann, and many other tradeswomen came together to start the group. Their stated mission is:

“To unite all women in the trades during a healthy, fun, and energizing activity. In a male-dominated industry, we need to be able to connect with other women that share the same conflicts, issues, insights, and advice.”

The hikes kick-off Sunday, March 20 and will take place every other month after that. All tradeswomen are invited along with your spouses, kids, friends, and ,yes, even your dogs. The first hike will be Wahclella Falls. Meet there at 11:00 am and be ready to hike by 11:15 am. You will want to bring lunch with you and plan for a $5 day trip cost. Some folks will be carpooling so join the Facebook Page to share details and make connections.

Now, there will be questions about the name of the group but fear not, it is actually very inspirational. The keynote speaker at the 2015 Tradeswomen Leadership Institute inspired everyone with the acronym that gets her through the day. In male dominated spaces, powerful, thoughtful, and strong women are often labelled bitch. This was turned into an acronym to remind her why she stays and was adapted for the hiking group.

Believe…

In…

Transformation…

Change…

Happens…

In…

Nature…

Hike away tradeswomen!