How do you Promote Women in this Field?

wertreelovers

wertreelovers

Location
Covina, CA
Hello Everyone,

Jersey Girl had a good question she brought up on the "Women Lurking" thread.

How do you promote women in this field?

Ever since I started getting involved in the Western Chapter encouraging women in the industry, I've had a lot of people find me and ask how can they get in the door.

I was actually surprised to find that most of these women really wanted to learn how to climb and enjoy a career in the outdoors.

So I ask you all, how can one start? Does anyone still see limitations with finding work as a female wit novice skills?

Do any companies out there specifically have any programs to encourage women to be involved in this industry?

-Rhonda
 
This is an interesting question, and I really don't have an answer but would like to keep the thoughts flowing.

As David and I are discussing this topic here are a few of our view points.

This field is a "boys club". It is highly physical, demanding strength and stamina. You have to be ok with getting dirty. You ARE going to break your fingernails (that's actually a standing joke in my household).

But all of that applies to the male applicants in this field also. Everyone is going to sweat and puff and pant and be grimy and tired at the end of the day.

Some limiting factors in this profession would be the comfort level and abilities to handle single aspects of it; i.e., are you ok at heights, how much weight can you lift and control.

The female mind can multi-task generally very well and this is an important function in this profession. We also tend to have a better sense of self-preservation; VERY important in this profession as well. The female body has a lower center of gravity (generally speaking unless certain augmentations have been utilized) and can be beneficial in balancing situations. (Illustration: the balance beam utilized in women's gymnastics but not in mens.) Trimming is actually artistic in nature (at least good quality trimming); the female eye tends to be softer and looks for the aesthetic qualities. Many times the big stuff can be handled by those of us physically smaller than our male counterparts by simply TAKING SMALLER PIECES. And the improvements and advances in climbing techniques and tools are very beneficial to using technique as opposed to brute strength which also opens the door to those of us smaller in stature to access the heights of the canopy.

How do we promote this better? Approach the high school and colleges on career days perhaps? Showing a diverse illustration of those like Kathy H. and Bermie (among others) on the take downs as well as the trimming to show that it CAN be done by women. (Kathy's news spot was fantastic for promoting this field for women!) I know our local newspaper annually does a feature on women in business. So possibly contacting your local papers to see what features they run would be another start.

We have run into several people who have "sampled" tree work and made the comment they had NEVER worked so hard in their lives. The "romance" of working outside amongst the trees can be a bit different on a cold, windy, rainy day where you know that at the end of the day you are going to be wet, filthy and exhausted. The person needs to accept that reality up front. But the benefits can be immense and rewarding for the woman who wants to think "outside the box" and challenge herself to become something more than she would have ever thought.

Sylvia
 
Do you think it possible to have a Western Chapter regional meeting solely for the women in the profession assisted by the men in the profession?
The topics could range from climbing like a lady to not working as hard as a man.

The main purpose in putting together a program just for the women is to let the females working in the field know that the job can get done in a non male fashion. Meaning that not all techniques that the boys use are right for the girls.

Really it doesn't have to be so hard to climb if you use mechanical advantage and other labor saving ideas. The competition is an extreme method of teaching and it only shows some of the means to get up a tree.

The truth of the matter is the women need to start their own competition with techniques designed for women. It is not that hard to climb trees if you are willing to look outside of the male methods of climbing.

I mean it, the women should have annually a program that is dedicated to just helping women understand that their are alternative methods of climbing in and around trees.

I am willing to help assist with the develoment of this highly needed program. I'm even willing to host the program if necessary to get things rolling. One or two days?

Women should have the right to learn methods other then the way men have been doing it for ever. The knowledge is out their so let's get it the hands of the users. Tailored to suit your needs ,wants and desires. Not information overload.

I have been training women to climb and work in tress since I attended Cal Poly , San Luis Obispo back in 1975. So what are you waiting for now is the time to improve and expand your methods and techniques....

Women of the trees, what do you think, is this something that you all would be interested in ???
 
Sylvia,

That is so well put. Thank you for that!! I think it is definitely a good idea to be up front to those that are interested.
I sometimes find myself over looking this just so I don't loose their interest, but I think it is better that they know what they are getting into.

As for the promotion, I think you are right that the more folks see successful women in the field, the more folks won't be so shocked by it and the less likely for those hiring to right off the idea.

Gillean is a great source for media coverage. She's looking for stories, so please talk to her so everyone can see more of us out there.

Well said Sylvia!!
 
Hi Robert!

That's so awesome!!! Thanks for the great offer!!! Of course us Western WOTTies are definitely interested!!!!

I have often found myself trying to copy the men's techniques during competitions, but have failed miserably. You saw it 1st hand at Arbor Camp, so you know what I mean. I think it would be great to learn methods that fit our body types more.

Let's talk more at the TCC next weekend and we can get something planned.

You ROCK!!!
 
Interesting...

So far I don't have any problems with technique or climbing methods...but I am pretty strong up top and small all over, 'petite' is the polite word... is there more of an issue for women with more of a 'Venus' body type?

How about harness construction? Anybody have any problems there? I think we have the advantage, hips to keep it up and not as vulnerable geography...if you know what I mean!

What has come to light is the whole speed/production/safety aspect. Very fortunately for me, I am self employed, so what I bid, if I get the job I do the work the way I want. There is enough work to go around and we are not undercutting each other to get it.

I subbed for another company for a bit till they got their own climber in. In conversation the word is that I am quite safety conscious, and that it slows me down somewhat, that where production and speed are necessary...bypass some of the safety... knowing that with one tie in, one booboo is death, be aware of that and rope position when cutting. How many compromise safety for speed and production? Or am I just over the top with safety?

I would be interested in seeing how women compare with men in climbing speed and production along with doing it safely on jobs with potential time issues.
 
good post bermie. equipment size/configuration is definitely an issue for smaller people (both men and women) as the gear runs toward large-guy size. i know wenda has only one option of hard hat in ontario due to legislation and size issues combined. for me, i'm a bit smaller than the average guy (5'9") but broad shouldered and i've not had that issue.

i think you raise an interesting point w/the cutting safety corners for speed issue - does seem in a generalizing way more a male behaviour than a female behaviour, though i can think of exceptions in both directions. i think it probably depends a lot on who you learn from. so maybe the increasing number of women in the field could have a positive affect on the increasing trend toward safety?

so to bring it round full circle to the topic of the thread, helping create a culture of safety rather than a climate of reckless production might support women entering the field?

interesting questions.
 
I can tell you that there is an online publication that is viewed by about 17,000 college-aged students looking for 'what in the world do I wanna do when I grow up.'

If you wanna put a video together, answer a few questions, this is a good way to start. Also, mags are always looking for women doing great things. Take advantage of the fact that women aren't seen as the majority in the arborist industry.

Have great photos? Have a great story about why you became an arborist? It starts with a simple story.

Oh, by the way, I DO want Rhonda Woods in the Disney trees clipping away to make the character shapes and then the story of her love for arboriculture! :) This story is begging to be published.
 
Hey All,

Great thread...

I am planning on hosting a women's tree climbing workshop in New Hampshire on a Saturday (9th or 16th) in August. I think this will be the first of it's kind.

We talk about the need to get more women involved, especially representing our Chapters at International. However it takes a person to take the lead, and our Chapters don't seem to have the time to make this happen nor have a fixed mechanism to do this. (Ours included, we all get so darn busy!)

The workshop is a start... but it's an opportunity to get those lurking women (hint, hint) to come join us for a day of coached tree climbing! (We'll also be working on some introduction to and skills training for tree climbing competitions.)

Those interested, give me a hollar!

Climb happy, climb safe!
 
Treebeach,

That is totally cool of you. Way to go and way to be a leader on this!!! If only New Hampshire were a hop, skip and a jump away from CA and I would be there.

So how many gal's do you think will be coming?

I'd love to hear all about it after. That sounds like something we would want to do over here on the West Coast and any pointers would be great.
 
Oh and here's another thought...

...maybe Gillean could get you some publicity at the workshop. The more folks see us out there climbing and pursuing the Arboriculure Industry, the more it will become an automatic thing that women consider this as another career they can happily do and be successful.

Just a thought.
thk.gif
 
Thanks Were!

I'll keep y'all posted for sure! I'd love to run this as a model other chapters can adopt!

Additionally, this year at our New England Chapter comp we had five women, and in the New York Chapter there was four! We're making progress!

Cheers,
Melissa
 
That's awesome progress! Can't wait to see this year's comp in St Louis. I'm biting the bullet and flying out there so I can learn a thing or too from all the outstanding climbers.

It's especially helpful watching other women climb since they often have tricks up their sleeve to get around the need for extra height and muscling through something.

Thanks for keeping us posted Treebeach!!
 
Such publications as Muscle & Fitness for women, US newspapers and plenty of other media outlets are interested in this story.

I receive interests at least 3 times each week. If you have decent photos, low res is find for me to send into the media, and some information on what's going on, what just happened or WHERE ladies are taking to the trees, please send to my email so that I can make use of it for publicity on your behalf.

If you don't know me, feel free to chat with Kathy Holzer. She is my first kick butt lady I took advantage of. She appeared in an Atlanta morning show. Great story behind the lady climber. She and Kathy had SO much in common. (not so much.)

Please email photos and information to me as story ideas pop up to: gillean@thekingsenglish.com

If media is interested, I will contact you back to see if you want to proceed. I'm in this for the positive that this information can offer other women and open their eyes to such great fun and possibilities. No worries on me sending anything to Dateline.

Hope to see photos and such in my email in box.

Thanks,
Gillean
 
National media are interested in this unique topic! Need your help immediately! I need to know if there may be an all-women's climb happening at ISA. I would like to promote this and get some coverage for you ladies.

I should find out definitely by Friday. For now, if you know of a tree and can see who might be available to fill up that tree, please let me know!! Please send me any photos of groups of ladies in the tree to my email address at:

gillean@thekingsenglish.com

Thanks!!
 
Ya know. I've been working at the ISA for a bit this summer, and someone who may be really good for networking is Sharon Lilly. That lady has been involved and influential in this industry for quite a while, and perhaps various women in the industry can get together and write some articles for Arborist News. I know we have Industry spotlights. Perhaps there could be a series of "spotlight" articles written by women in the industry on how they came into the industry, their experiences and difficulties, and why they enjoy the job enough to do it as a career. I've been fortunate enough to work on a crew with several women, all who were just as capable at "handling the big wood" as anyone else. I think it's just a matter of time.
 
Yeah, "if she has the time" is the big one, but I'll ask her about it on Monday. Also, for those who can make it the the International Conference, there's going to be the Women in Arboriculture Luncheon. I don't know if anyone has already mentioned it. I think it's Monday around noon. I can't go because of obligations, but I really wanted to.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom