This is from several weeks ago, when they had an expo in Portland encouraging women to go into the trades, such as electrical, construction, welding, etc. Besides really wonderful opportunities for women to get training and apprenticeships in these non-traditional fields, it was really a fantastic opportunity to try some things you wouldn't ordinarily have the opportunity to try. They had project tables where you could make small projects to take home, and other areas where you could tackle bigger things. Here you could try operating a crane, wiring small electrical devices, soldering, welding, building a birdhouse, and the one that caught my eye, climbing an electrical pole! I got about 20 feet off the ground before good sense got the better of me. :) The gal on the left is a lineman (linewoman?) from Portland General Electric who taught me how to get up there. (The photo's somewhat grainy because I had to scan it in from a Polaroid.)
It was a huge expo and it was so incredibly empowering to see all those women working and showing interest in non-traditional fields, sharing their experiences in the field and teaching each other new skills.
