Glass Ceilings: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures
A Seat at The Table Exhibition
The Women of Toledo's mission is to educate, engage, and empower women and young women to keep moving forward.
Girls Hub is a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) program/activity for girls and young women ages 12 to 17 that offers workspace in trades and construction, through classes in woodworking, architecture, and art.
In 2022, with the support from the City of Toledo, Parks and Youth Services our Summer program had over 30 girls and young women known as Builders to be a part of our first pilot of the 'Seat at the Table' project. Our Builders had the opportunity to learn and hone creative and vocational STEAM skills with support from local STEM groups, Mentors, Women in Construction, Manufacturing, Engineering, Arts, and women’s Architects. Integrating Mentor’s technical skills and support, we believe Girls Hub helps equip our Builders with the empowerment and tools to build the space they want to see.
Project Overview:
Your seat is your identity and what you care about. The table is where decisions are made. During each week in the month of June and July, we had a group of girls and young women 'builders' meet in person for hands-on training on how to use bigger power tools, such as the miter saw and band saw, with proper safety and guidance, to create their chair project. We also integrated activities and discussions about female leadership, confidence, STEAM careers, fear, bravery, and how to support each other as girls and women.
Materials + Tools We Used:
A handsaw, wood glue, sanding sponge, hammer, nails, drill, impact driver, screws, plywood, and redwood dimensional lumber.