my dad died alone in a hospital room while most of the people he loved were
while most of the people he loved were
while most of the people he loved were at a Christmas party
at a Christmas party
at a Christmas party 3x prior he had been on the job
3x prior he had been on the job
3x prior he had been on the job installing telephones which required him
installing telephones which required him
installing telephones which required him to climb up a telephone pole and in the
to climb up a telephone pole and in the
to climb up a telephone pole and in the climbing he fell he fell 14 feet which
climbing he fell he fell 14 feet which
climbing he fell he fell 14 feet which wasn’t deadly at the time but he did end
wasn’t deadly at the time but he did end
wasn’t deadly at the time but he did end up in the hospital but the doctors were
up in the hospital but the doctors were
up in the hospital but the doctors were confident that he’d be home by Christmas
confident that he’d be home by Christmas
confident that he’d be home by Christmas instead a blood clot traveled up his leg
instead a blood clot traveled up his leg
instead a blood clot traveled up his leg in his heart and he died when my mom got
in his heart and he died when my mom got
in his heart and he died when my mom got the phone call she became hysterical
the phone call she became hysterical
the phone call she became hysterical justifiably so and eventually her
justifiably so and eventually her
justifiably so and eventually her hysteria got to such an extreme that the
hysteria got to such an extreme that the
hysteria got to such an extreme that the police were called because no one knew
police were called because no one knew
police were called because no one knew what to deal with this one when flailing
what to deal with this one when flailing
what to deal with this one when flailing around right and so the police arrived
around right and so the police arrived
around right and so the police arrived and one of them had the nerve to look
and one of them had the nerve to look
and one of them had the nerve to look her in the eye and say ma’am what seems
her in the eye and say ma’am what seems
her in the eye and say ma’am what seems to be the problem she looked him back in
to be the problem she looked him back in
to be the problem she looked him back in the eye and said it’s Christmas my
the eye and said it’s Christmas my
the eye and said it’s Christmas my husband just died and I’m pregnant and
husband just died and I’m pregnant and
husband just died and I’m pregnant and then she punched him right in the face
then she punched him right in the face
then she punched him right in the face you can’t tell this you can’t tell the
you can’t tell this you can’t tell the
you can’t tell this you can’t tell the story of my father dying without telling
story of my father dying without telling
story of my father dying without telling the story of my birth I was that baby
the story of my birth I was that baby
the story of my birth I was that baby that my mom was pregnant with and this
that my mom was pregnant with and this
that my mom was pregnant with and this is how everyone found out that she was
is how everyone found out that she was
is how everyone found out that she was pregnant with me including my father my
pregnant with me including my father my
pregnant with me including my father my father didn’t know she had a card for
father didn’t know she had a card for
father didn’t know she had a card for him for Christmas that said Merry
him for Christmas that said Merry
him for Christmas that said Merry Christmas were pregnant and this is
Christmas were pregnant and this is
Christmas were pregnant and this is tragic obviously but if you fast forward
tragic obviously but if you fast forward
tragic obviously but if you fast forward maybe four years you find a house full
maybe four years you find a house full
maybe four years you find a house full of females my two older sisters and I
of females my two older sisters and I
of females my two older sisters and I and my mom and we’re making ends meet my
and my mom and we’re making ends meet my
and my mom and we’re making ends meet my dad was the sole breadwinner and when he
dad was the sole breadwinner and when he
dad was the sole breadwinner and when he died he took that income with him and so
died he took that income with him and so
died he took that income with him and so my mom did things like taking in sewing
my mom did things like taking in sewing
my mom did things like taking in sewing and ironing and babysitting but also be
and ironing and babysitting but also be
and ironing and babysitting but also be sure to get a little bit creative with
sure to get a little bit creative with
sure to get a little bit creative with her finances and so when she when things
her finances and so when she when things
her finances and so when she when things would break in our house she would try
would break in our house she would try
would break in our house she would try to fix him my mom was not very
to fix him my mom was not very
to fix him my mom was not very mechanically inclined and so she would
mechanically inclined and so she would
mechanically inclined and so she would hand those things off to us when she
hand those things off to us when she
hand those things off to us when she couldn’t fix them herself she figured if
couldn’t fix them herself she figured if
couldn’t fix them herself she figured if it wasn’t gonna get fixed we might as
it wasn’t gonna get fixed we might as
it wasn’t gonna get fixed we might as well give it a go right
well give it a go right
well give it a go right well the gifts that my father gave us
well the gifts that my father gave us
well the gifts that my father gave us we’re number one the gifts of being a
we’re number one the gifts of being a
we’re number one the gifts of being a little more mechanically inclined than
little more mechanically inclined than
little more mechanically inclined than our mom but also he was a very
our mom but also he was a very
our mom but also he was a very mischievous guy and he was very curious
mischievous guy and he was very curious
mischievous guy and he was very curious and he passed that along to us
and he passed that along to us
and he passed that along to us especially my middle sister Bridget who
especially my middle sister Bridget who
especially my middle sister Bridget who was pretty much a troublemaker and also
was pretty much a troublemaker and also
was pretty much a troublemaker and also my idol
my idol
my idol I followed her around wherever she went
I followed her around wherever she went
I followed her around wherever she went and I did whatever she told me to do he
and I did whatever she told me to do he
and I did whatever she told me to do he also left us a garage full of tools he
also left us a garage full of tools he
also left us a garage full of tools he had been building our house that we
had been building our house that we
had been building our house that we lived in when he died he’d also been
lived in when he died he’d also been
lived in when he died he’d also been kind of limping along three different
kind of limping along three different
kind of limping along three different cars that he was always working on
cars that he was always working on
cars that he was always working on having one going and having the other
having one going and having the other
having one going and having the other two kind of waiting in the wings and so
two kind of waiting in the wings and so
two kind of waiting in the wings and so we had all these tools so we had time
we had all these tools so we had time
we had all these tools so we had time and we had these appliances that our mom
and we had these appliances that our mom
and we had these appliances that our mom was saying give it a go and so we did we
was saying give it a go and so we did we
was saying give it a go and so we did we would we would open up toasters and see
would we would open up toasters and see
would we would open up toasters and see what was inside and see how the springs
what was inside and see how the springs
what was inside and see how the springs worked and see if we could see it was
worked and see if we could see it was
worked and see if we could see it was broken the VCR see if we could fix it
broken the VCR see if we could fix it
broken the VCR see if we could fix it most the time we couldn’t but sometimes
most the time we couldn’t but sometimes
most the time we couldn’t but sometimes we could and that was enough to make us
we could and that was enough to make us
we could and that was enough to make us feel confident that it was possible to
feel confident that it was possible to
feel confident that it was possible to fix anything that we opened we also took
fix anything that we opened we also took
fix anything that we opened we also took those tools and did some creative things
those tools and did some creative things
those tools and did some creative things building we went in our front yard
building we went in our front yard
building we went in our front yard we wanted a tree house our mom’s afraid
we wanted a tree house our mom’s afraid
we wanted a tree house our mom’s afraid of heights and so we built a tree house
of heights and so we built a tree house
of heights and so we built a tree house which was just basically a piece of
which was just basically a piece of
which was just basically a piece of plywood on some two by fours in a tree I
plywood on some two by fours in a tree I
plywood on some two by fours in a tree I remember cutting the two by six that we
remember cutting the two by six that we
remember cutting the two by six that we used for a swing using hand saw from
used for a swing using hand saw from
used for a swing using hand saw from that house when I was five so it’s
that house when I was five so it’s
that house when I was five so it’s pretty little we also very importantly
pretty little we also very importantly
pretty little we also very importantly installed a cat elevator because we
installed a cat elevator because we
installed a cat elevator because we wanted our cat table to get up into the
wanted our cat table to get up into the
wanted our cat table to get up into the tree fort and how else was she supposed
tree fort and how else was she supposed
tree fort and how else was she supposed to get up there so we had the cat
to get up there so we had the cat
to get up there so we had the cat levator and we were very proud of it and
levator and we were very proud of it and
levator and we were very proud of it and and basically these gifts of curiosity
and basically these gifts of curiosity
and basically these gifts of curiosity mischievousness it made us very
mischievousness it made us very
mischievousness it made us very confident little girls and I didn’t
confident little girls and I didn’t
confident little girls and I didn’t realize that that’s what it was doing
realize that that’s what it was doing
realize that that’s what it was doing the whole time but our failures and then
the whole time but our failures and then
the whole time but our failures and then our sometimes our successes made us feel
our sometimes our successes made us feel
our sometimes our successes made us feel like we could kind of do anything and so
like we could kind of do anything and so
like we could kind of do anything and so we did and so what happens when you take
we did and so what happens when you take
we did and so what happens when you take that curiosity and you give it to an
that curiosity and you give it to an
that curiosity and you give it to an eight year old girl so I run a nonprofit
eight year old girl so I run a nonprofit
eight year old girl so I run a nonprofit called girls build and we have summer
called girls build and we have summer
called girls build and we have summer camps for girls and after-school
camps for girls and after-school
camps for girls and after-school programming
programming
programming and during this program we teach them to
and during this program we teach them to
and during this program we teach them to build during our summer camps we have 40
build during our summer camps we have 40
build during our summer camps we have 40 girls per week and what that looks like
girls per week and what that looks like
girls per week and what that looks like is on the first day of camp the girls
is on the first day of camp the girls
is on the first day of camp the girls arrive and if you picture 40 little kids
arrive and if you picture 40 little kids
arrive and if you picture 40 little kids 8 to 11 years old you think it’s gonna
8 to 11 years old you think it’s gonna
8 to 11 years old you think it’s gonna be loud right like they’re all talking
be loud right like they’re all talking
be loud right like they’re all talking and they’re getting excited no it is
and they’re getting excited no it is
and they’re getting excited no it is dead quiet because they show up to camp
dead quiet because they show up to camp
dead quiet because they show up to camp we throw a hard hat on and then safety
we throw a hard hat on and then safety
we throw a hard hat on and then safety glasses ear protection tool about bucket
glasses ear protection tool about bucket
glasses ear protection tool about bucket tools and they’re kind of looking at
tools and they’re kind of looking at
tools and they’re kind of looking at each other like what did we get into
each other like what did we get into
each other like what did we get into fast forward one week the last day of
fast forward one week the last day of
fast forward one week the last day of camp over the course of that week of
camp over the course of that week of
camp over the course of that week of camp we’ve done 20 different building
camp we’ve done 20 different building
camp we’ve done 20 different building workshops with them they’ve learned over
workshops with them they’ve learned over
workshops with them they’ve learned over ten different building trades and so you
ten different building trades and so you
ten different building trades and so you look at that Friday afternoon when
look at that Friday afternoon when
look at that Friday afternoon when they’re leaving camp and we invite their
they’re leaving camp and we invite their
they’re leaving camp and we invite their parents to join us we have a big
parents to join us we have a big
parents to join us we have a big scavenger hunt at the end of camp and so
scavenger hunt at the end of camp and so
scavenger hunt at the end of camp and so the girls are running around all 40 of
the girls are running around all 40 of
the girls are running around all 40 of our parents we’re running around and
our parents we’re running around and
our parents we’re running around and they’re looking for these little tags
they’re looking for these little tags
they’re looking for these little tags that say drill screw in here hammer and
that say drill screw in here hammer and
that say drill screw in here hammer and now do this out of these fractions for
now do this out of these fractions for
now do this out of these fractions for us whatever it might be but my favorite
us whatever it might be but my favorite
us whatever it might be but my favorite station to watch is the chop saw so a
station to watch is the chop saw so a
station to watch is the chop saw so a chop saw is about that big about that
chop saw is about that big about that
chop saw is about that big about that tall with a 10 to 12 inch blade on it
tall with a 10 to 12 inch blade on it
tall with a 10 to 12 inch blade on it and girls who are over ten at summer
and girls who are over ten at summer
and girls who are over ten at summer camp are allowed to use it and so they
camp are allowed to use it and so they
camp are allowed to use it and so they walk up very confidently parents in tow
walk up very confidently parents in tow
walk up very confidently parents in tow and they read the little tag they grab
and they read the little tag they grab
and they read the little tag they grab it to you by four they grab their their
it to you by four they grab their their
it to you by four they grab their their a tape measure they measure it they mark
a tape measure they measure it they mark
a tape measure they measure it they mark across foot they get out their speed
across foot they get out their speed
across foot they get out their speed square they mark a line they drop it
square they mark a line they drop it
square they mark a line they drop it onto the table push it up against the
onto the table push it up against the
onto the table push it up against the fence and they put their hand on the
fence and they put their hand on the
fence and they put their hand on the trigger and their parents are looking at
trigger and their parents are looking at
trigger and their parents are looking at them with their eyes bugged out like is
them with their eyes bugged out like is
them with their eyes bugged out like is my little girl really gonna do this and
my little girl really gonna do this and
my little girl really gonna do this and a lot of times they say are you sure you
a lot of times they say are you sure you
a lot of times they say are you sure you can do this at which point the camper
can do this at which point the camper
can do this at which point the camper iral is introduced she looks at her
iral is introduced she looks at her
iral is introduced she looks at her parents and sighs and says of course I
parents and sighs and says of course I
parents and sighs and says of course I can use a chop saw like they’re idiots
can use a chop saw like they’re idiots
can use a chop saw like they’re idiots right like this little girl who’s only
right like this little girl who’s only
right like this little girl who’s only about this big it’s just totally fine
about this big it’s just totally fine
about this big it’s just totally fine but she is and so she puts her hand on
but she is and so she puts her hand on
but she is and so she puts her hand on the trigger and
the trigger and
the trigger and she brings that blade down and she cuts
she brings that blade down and she cuts
she brings that blade down and she cuts the wood and it’s really cool to watch
the wood and it’s really cool to watch
the wood and it’s really cool to watch and what you see from the beginning of
and what you see from the beginning of
and what you see from the beginning of that week to the end is confidence
that week to the end is confidence
that week to the end is confidence they’re curious they learn about a bunch
they’re curious they learn about a bunch
they’re curious they learn about a bunch of different things they also fail they
of different things they also fail they
of different things they also fail they mess up over the course of the week I
mess up over the course of the week I
mess up over the course of the week I watched two little girls one time hammer
watched two little girls one time hammer
watched two little girls one time hammer one nail for 90 minutes it never went in
one nail for 90 minutes it never went in
one nail for 90 minutes it never went in but they were super proud of themselves
but they were super proud of themselves
but they were super proud of themselves right they’d they were installing the
right they’d they were installing the
right they’d they were installing the trim they were doing it and so they see
trim they were doing it and so they see
trim they were doing it and so they see themselves you know fail at a lot of
themselves you know fail at a lot of
themselves you know fail at a lot of things and they realize that it’s not
things and they realize that it’s not
things and they realize that it’s not the end of the world right and when they
the end of the world right and when they
the end of the world right and when they do that over and over again they get a
do that over and over again they get a
do that over and over again they get a little more confident and they think
little more confident and they think
little more confident and they think like if I can do this maybe I can do a
like if I can do this maybe I can do a
like if I can do this maybe I can do a lot of things and they do and I have
lot of things and they do and I have
lot of things and they do and I have parents who write me afterward and say
parents who write me afterward and say
parents who write me afterward and say you would not believe the change in her
you would not believe the change in her
you would not believe the change in her confidence after she’s done with camp
confidence after she’s done with camp
confidence after she’s done with camp you don’t believe the things that she’s
you don’t believe the things that she’s
you don’t believe the things that she’s trying to do now at home after camp and
trying to do now at home after camp and
trying to do now at home after camp and that’s what we want and sort of what
that’s what we want and sort of what
that’s what we want and sort of what happens if you take that curiosity in
happens if you take that curiosity in
happens if you take that curiosity in that confidence and you give it to a
that confidence and you give it to a
that confidence and you give it to a high school girl so I taught high school
high school girl so I taught high school
high school girl so I taught high school for two year high school construction
for two year high school construction
for two year high school construction actually for two years on my first day
actually for two years on my first day
actually for two years on my first day of class I had one female student in the
of class I had one female student in the
of class I had one female student in the entirety of all of my classes so I asked
entirety of all of my classes so I asked
entirety of all of my classes so I asked the boys to recruit more girls I wanted
the boys to recruit more girls I wanted
the boys to recruit more girls I wanted more girls at my classes and from that
more girls at my classes and from that
more girls at my classes and from that recruitment we got four girls so we had
recruitment we got four girls so we had
recruitment we got four girls so we had five which was great and it was so
five which was great and it was so
five which was great and it was so interesting watching the girls versus
interesting watching the girls versus
interesting watching the girls versus the boys
the boys
the boys if you’ve ever hung out with 17 year old
if you’ve ever hung out with 17 year old
if you’ve ever hung out with 17 year old boys they are the most confident group
boys they are the most confident group
boys they are the most confident group of human beings I think I’ve ever met in
of human beings I think I’ve ever met in
of human beings I think I’ve ever met in my entire life they may not have ever
my entire life they may not have ever
my entire life they may not have ever heard of something before but they will
heard of something before but they will
heard of something before but they will tell you like I know honey I got it I
tell you like I know honey I got it I
tell you like I know honey I got it I know I do I don’t do that don’t worry
know I do I don’t do that don’t worry
know I do I don’t do that don’t worry about it and they’ll go do it
about it and they’ll go do it
about it and they’ll go do it but the thing that was interesting was
but the thing that was interesting was
but the thing that was interesting was the boys had been working toward a
the boys had been working toward a
the boys had been working toward a career in construction since they were
career in construction since they were
career in construction since they were this big
this big
this big they had uncles and neighbors and
they had uncles and neighbors and
they had uncles and neighbors and whoever teaching them this is what your
whoever teaching them this is what your
whoever teaching them this is what your goal is this is where you can go with
goal is this is where you can go with
goal is this is where you can go with construction and so they did
construction and so they did
construction and so they did and the girls were walking to my
and the girls were walking to my
and the girls were walking to my classroom for the first time saying what
classroom for the first time saying what
classroom for the first time saying what is this picking up a hammer for the very
is this picking up a hammer for the very
is this picking up a hammer for the very first time and so they’re ten years
first time and so they’re ten years
first time and so they’re ten years behind there
behind there
behind there no way they can catch up and that was
no way they can catch up and that was
no way they can catch up and that was driven home for me one day when one of
driven home for me one day when one of
driven home for me one day when one of my students when my female students came
my students when my female students came
my students when my female students came in and she said Miss Hughes I want you
in and she said Miss Hughes I want you
in and she said Miss Hughes I want you to know I would not have graduated high
to know I would not have graduated high
to know I would not have graduated high school if it wasn’t for this class and
school if it wasn’t for this class and
school if it wasn’t for this class and this light bulb went off for me she
this light bulb went off for me she
this light bulb went off for me she wasn’t saying like miss U’s you’re the
wasn’t saying like miss U’s you’re the
wasn’t saying like miss U’s you’re the best teacher in the entire world she was
best teacher in the entire world she was
best teacher in the entire world she was saying this class is really cool
saying this class is really cool
saying this class is really cool and I thought about the boys in my
and I thought about the boys in my
and I thought about the boys in my classes and those boys were spending
classes and those boys were spending
classes and those boys were spending their days they had like woods 3.then
their days they had like woods 3.then
their days they had like woods 3.then metals three and then automotive three
metals three and then automotive three
metals three and then automotive three and then construction like that’s not
and then construction like that’s not
and then construction like that’s not that’s a pretty great schedule for your
that’s a pretty great schedule for your
that’s a pretty great schedule for your senior year and so the boys were we’re
senior year and so the boys were we’re
senior year and so the boys were we’re waking up in the mornings and they’re
waking up in the mornings and they’re
waking up in the mornings and they’re excited about what they’re gonna do for
excited about what they’re gonna do for
excited about what they’re gonna do for their day they’re gonna start a project
their day they’re gonna start a project
their day they’re gonna start a project they’re gonna finish a project the other
they’re gonna finish a project the other
they’re gonna finish a project the other thing I saw them doing was coming to
thing I saw them doing was coming to
thing I saw them doing was coming to school and saying miscues I was thinking
school and saying miscues I was thinking
school and saying miscues I was thinking all night about that problem we’re
all night about that problem we’re
all night about that problem we’re having with XYZ I think I figured out
having with XYZ I think I figured out
having with XYZ I think I figured out how to fix it and then they go do it
how to fix it and then they go do it
how to fix it and then they go do it they’re excited about that what they’re
they’re excited about that what they’re
they’re excited about that what they’re learning at school and when we don’t let
learning at school and when we don’t let
learning at school and when we don’t let girls have that opportunity we’re
girls have that opportunity we’re
girls have that opportunity we’re robbing them of the of the opportunity
robbing them of the of the opportunity
robbing them of the of the opportunity to actually be excited at school and to
to actually be excited at school and to
to actually be excited at school and to graduate from school right suspend their
graduate from school right suspend their
graduate from school right suspend their days building things they don’t get to
days building things they don’t get to
days building things they don’t get to do that and so what happens if you take
do that and so what happens if you take
do that and so what happens if you take that curiosity and like confidence and
that curiosity and like confidence and
that curiosity and like confidence and you give it to a girl graduating high
you give it to a girl graduating high
you give it to a girl graduating high school so both of my sisters are
school so both of my sisters are
school so both of my sisters are dyslexic and they struggled tremendously
dyslexic and they struggled tremendously
dyslexic and they struggled tremendously throughout high school
throughout high school
throughout high school my oldest sister Marina didn’t learn to
my oldest sister Marina didn’t learn to
my oldest sister Marina didn’t learn to read until she was 12 my middle sister
read until she was 12 my middle sister
read until she was 12 my middle sister Bridget she and I were in the same math
Bridget she and I were in the same math
Bridget she and I were in the same math class when I was a freshman she was a
class when I was a freshman she was a
class when I was a freshman she was a senior algebra – can you imagine how
senior algebra – can you imagine how
senior algebra – can you imagine how horrible that would be for a dyslexic
horrible that would be for a dyslexic
horrible that would be for a dyslexic person like why would you ever want to
person like why would you ever want to
person like why would you ever want to take that class and so they both
take that class and so they both
take that class and so they both graduated barely and they hated it and
graduated barely and they hated it and
graduated barely and they hated it and the thought of going to college was
the thought of going to college was
the thought of going to college was terrible Bridget even cried I remember
terrible Bridget even cried I remember
terrible Bridget even cried I remember my mom asking her if she wanted to go
my mom asking her if she wanted to go
my mom asking her if she wanted to go and she was like why would I ever want
and she was like why would I ever want
and she was like why would I ever want to go there why would I ever want to do
to go there why would I ever want to do
to go there why would I ever want to do that and so my sister Maria graduated
that and so my sister Maria graduated
that and so my sister Maria graduated did some minimum-wage jobs she got
did some minimum-wage jobs she got
did some minimum-wage jobs she got married she had three kids she got
married she had three kids she got
married she had three kids she got divorced
divorced
divorced one day she calls me on the phone and
one day she calls me on the phone and
one day she calls me on the phone and she says I’m applying at this video
she says I’m applying at this video
she says I’m applying at this video store and at that point I had gone to
store and at that point I had gone to
store and at that point I had gone to college I’ve spent a year volunteering
college I’ve spent a year volunteering
college I’ve spent a year volunteering with Habitat for Humanity learning some
with Habitat for Humanity learning some
with Habitat for Humanity learning some real carpentry skills and then I’d
real carpentry skills and then I’d
real carpentry skills and then I’d become a carpenter that was now helping
become a carpenter that was now helping
become a carpenter that was now helping women get into the construction industry
women get into the construction industry
women get into the construction industry and I’m talking to my sister on the
and I’m talking to my sister on the
and I’m talking to my sister on the phone and I’m like why am I haven’t made
phone and I’m like why am I haven’t made
phone and I’m like why am I haven’t made this connection before and so I say to
this connection before and so I say to
this connection before and so I say to her have you ever considered a career in
her have you ever considered a career in
her have you ever considered a career in construction and she says I’m listening
construction and she says I’m listening
construction and she says I’m listening she’d no idea what I was talking about
she’d no idea what I was talking about
she’d no idea what I was talking about one year later through a lot of
one year later through a lot of
one year later through a lot of determination and focus she started her
determination and focus she started her
determination and focus she started her first day as a first term electrical
first day as a first term electrical
first day as a first term electrical apprentice it’s been almost 10 years and
apprentice it’s been almost 10 years and
apprentice it’s been almost 10 years and she’s now a journeyman electrical
she’s now a journeyman electrical
she’s now a journeyman electrical apprentice and when you talk to her and
apprentice and when you talk to her and
apprentice and when you talk to her and you ask her what she does for a living
you ask her what she does for a living
you ask her what she does for a living she says I’m a journeyman electrical
she says I’m a journeyman electrical
she says I’m a journeyman electrical apprentice and she’s excited about that
apprentice and she’s excited about that
apprentice and she’s excited about that if she was still working at the video
if she was still working at the video
if she was still working at the video store or the gas station the pizza place
store or the gas station the pizza place
store or the gas station the pizza place or one of the million places that she
or one of the million places that she
or one of the million places that she worked she would not be happy telling me
worked she would not be happy telling me
worked she would not be happy telling me that she made over a hundred thousand
that she made over a hundred thousand
that she made over a hundred thousand dollars last year and the reason I bring
dollars last year and the reason I bring
dollars last year and the reason I bring that up is this someone is finding value
that up is this someone is finding value
that up is this someone is finding value in her skills
in her skills
in her skills finally and someone is paying her what
finally and someone is paying her what
finally and someone is paying her what she’s worth finally and she is finding
she’s worth finally and she is finding
she’s worth finally and she is finding value in herself finally and the other
value in herself finally and the other
value in herself finally and the other cool part is her daughter who is now 19
cool part is her daughter who is now 19
cool part is her daughter who is now 19 recently told me oh I tell everyone my
recently told me oh I tell everyone my
recently told me oh I tell everyone my mom is a badass and I thought if you
mom is a badass and I thought if you
mom is a badass and I thought if you think your mom’s a badass then maybe you
think your mom’s a badass then maybe you
think your mom’s a badass then maybe you think that you could possibly be a
think that you could possibly be a
think that you could possibly be a badass one day too
badass one day too
badass one day too right and so we need to think about how
right and so we need to think about how
right and so we need to think about how we can bring that curiosity that
we can bring that curiosity that
we can bring that curiosity that confidence and that value to girls at a
confidence and that value to girls at a
confidence and that value to girls at a young age so how do we do that well for
young age so how do we do that well for
young age so how do we do that well for starters when you’re working around the
starters when you’re working around the
starters when you’re working around the house
house
house when you get that IKEA desk or a dresser
when you get that IKEA desk or a dresser
when you get that IKEA desk or a dresser or whatever it might be you hand her an
or whatever it might be you hand her an
or whatever it might be you hand her an allen wrench right super easy
allen wrench right super easy
allen wrench right super easy you’re changing a lightbulb let her
you’re changing a lightbulb let her
you’re changing a lightbulb let her screw that live open that’s the easiest
screw that live open that’s the easiest
screw that live open that’s the easiest thing in the world right you’re
thing in the world right you’re
thing in the world right you’re repairing your fence drills are the
repairing your fence drills are the
repairing your fence drills are the easiest things for kids to use they’re
easiest things for kids to use they’re
easiest things for kids to use they’re so easy and it feels so good to them
so easy and it feels so good to them
so easy and it feels so good to them they love it and so there are these
they love it and so there are these
they love it and so there are these little things that you can evolve them
little things that you can evolve them
little things that you can evolve them in right now that gets them thinking
in right now that gets them thinking
in right now that gets them thinking outside the box and gets them using
outside the box and gets them using
outside the box and gets them using their hands and once they start doing
their hands and once they start doing
their hands and once they start doing that the world opens up the next thing
that the world opens up the next thing
that the world opens up the next thing you can do is engage them in the classes
you can do is engage them in the classes
you can do is engage them in the classes available to them within their own
available to them within their own
available to them within their own schools you look at the school the
schools you look at the school the
schools you look at the school the classes that are offered at most schools
classes that are offered at most schools
classes that are offered at most schools and girls are not enrolled in them those
and girls are not enrolled in them those
and girls are not enrolled in them those hands-on classes woods metals automotive
hands-on classes woods metals automotive
hands-on classes woods metals automotive even like FFA those things
even like FFA those things
even like FFA those things girls are not enrolling in those classes
girls are not enrolling in those classes
girls are not enrolling in those classes and those are free classes available to
and those are free classes available to
and those are free classes available to them and the sooner they start them the
them and the sooner they start them the
them and the sooner they start them the more excited that they can be about
more excited that they can be about
more excited that they can be about their education third we can support the
their education third we can support the
their education third we can support the nonprofits and other organizations that
nonprofits and other organizations that
nonprofits and other organizations that bring this work to our children right
bring this work to our children right
bring this work to our children right whether it be science related wilderness
whether it be science related wilderness
whether it be science related wilderness training any of those things we support
training any of those things we support
training any of those things we support them and finally we look at the gifts
them and finally we look at the gifts
them and finally we look at the gifts that my parents gave us the gift of my
that my parents gave us the gift of my
that my parents gave us the gift of my mom of really not having enough money
mom of really not having enough money
mom of really not having enough money and being confident that we can play
and being confident that we can play
and being confident that we can play with some appliances open up a toaster
with some appliances open up a toaster
with some appliances open up a toaster and be cool with it the gift from my dad
and be cool with it the gift from my dad
and be cool with it the gift from my dad of being a little bit mischievous and
of being a little bit mischievous and
of being a little bit mischievous and curious and using tools and let kids
curious and using tools and let kids
curious and using tools and let kids know that what they’re building is
know that what they’re building is
know that what they’re building is really cool the process of making
really cool the process of making
really cool the process of making something is really cool but it’s the
something is really cool but it’s the
something is really cool but it’s the doing it the process of doing it that’s
doing it the process of doing it that’s
doing it the process of doing it that’s the important part thank you
the important part thank you
the important part thank you [Applause]
”
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