On Thursday March 2nd Edison Career and Technical High School in Rochester hosted a “Women and Wrenches Day” for Junior and Senior class women enrolled in the schools “Manufacturing Pathway” curriculum. Re: Build Optimation partnered in this event with the City of Rochester, Monroe Community College, and the Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association.
The focus of the day was to highlight women in Rochester’s manufacturing industries, and the women (both students and teachers) of Edison Tech. Groups of students rotated to four stations where female professionals taught segments in Automotive Technology, Welding, Machine Shop, and Engineering. A mini project was completed by each group at each station. Optimation Welder Marcie Dalton and Apprentice Emily Charleston participated as guest instructors for the event. Along with instruction, they offered candid views of their experiences working in the trades in a male-dominated industry. Welding and Fabrication shop supervisor Henry Bleier (an Edison alumni) also attended to provide insight about careers in the trades.
Women and Wrenches Day at Edison coincides with Women’s History Month and specifically with International Women’s Day, a global celebration of women’s achievements occurring annually on March 8th.
Edison Tech’s poster for the event is a modernized depiction of “Rosie the Riveter”, a symbol of female might in the factories of World War II America. That call-to-arms of critical manufacturing is the subject of Freedom’s Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II by Arthur Herman (suggested reading for all Re: Build employees).
The participants of Women and Wrenches Day donned the trademark bandanna of Rosie the Riveter for a group photo to cap off a successful event. A sincere thanks to Marcie and Emily for their effortless interaction with the students, and for their proud representation of Optimation values.
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