HAZARD GIRLS

Brought up in a mining family that had no time for gender stereotypes, Allyson Hawley, our guest on today’s show, was surprised when she began her mechanical engineering degree with hardly any fellow women students. Throughout her career in the male-dominated mining industry, Allyson has received a lot of support but has also experienced a lot of subtle and not-so-subtle discrimination based on the fact that she is a woman. As she explains, sometimes it’s difficult to identify discrimination, which is why it is so important to find a community that has your back. Allyson also shares the ways in which men in these fields can contribute to eradicating the issue of gender discrimination. We discuss how Allyson’s company is working towards increasing gender diversity in STEM fields, changes she has seen take place in her industry over the years, her take on the hiring process, and her thoughts about what it takes to create a sustainable future. Emily is joined by Blair Fraser and Charli K. Matthews as co-hosts and the combination of perspectives makes for an eye-opening discussion!

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Not only does clothing have the power to impact our confidence and productivity, but, in industries like mining, it is also essential for keeping people safe. However, when items are designed only with men in mind, they can do the opposite of what they are intended for when worn by women. Our guest today, Alicia Woods, knows this all too well. As a woman working in what is considered a non-traditional role for her gender, she spent years stuffing her work boots with socks and avoiding drinking water so she wouldn’t have to use the bathroom when going underground into the mines. After one particularly unpleasant experience she decided that something needed to change, and she went about designing a coverall specifically for women. A few years later, after a very successful experience on Dragon’s Den, Covergalls was born! Join us today to hear Alicia’s story, her goal of disrupting the entire workwear industry, how Covergalls has grown (and is still growing!), the education and advocacy work being done by CG Aligned Consulting, the consulting branch of Covergalls, and why clothing is one of the essential elements to consider for the creation of a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

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Your gender doesn’t limit your abilities or your career options. As a woman, you are just as capable as any man to be successful in building your own business. Today’s guest is Rachel Street, the President of Hestia Construction. She is also a real estate agent, designer, TV star, and the host of the television show, Philly Revival on the DIY Network, where she restores homes by preserving their original 18th and 19th Century features and adding modern amenities, turning them into stunning and distinctive properties in Philadelphia. Rachel’s construction projects and real estate stakes have been featured in many local and national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Insider, Philadelphia Magazine, Washington Post Magazine, Philadelphia Inquirer, House and Home, and many more. She was awarded Philadelphia Magazine’s Best of Philly 2019 Best Contractor and Influencers of Real Estate’s Rising Star Award. Tuning in today, you’ll hear all about Rachels journey, what she’s learned along the way, how she found herself in the TV business, as well as how she gives back to her community and the kids in it. Enjoy!

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When your car breaks down it can feel like defeat, and shopping for a car without the right knowledge can be overwhelming. That’s why today’s guest has created a safe space to help the average consumer learn how to better buy and understand their vehicle investment. At Mechanic Shop Femme, car education is empowerment, and today we welcome the Founder, Chaya Milchtein. Chaya is also a style influencer, writer, speaker, and automotive educator, writing about a variety of topics, including plus-size fashion, radical body acceptance, and queer life. She works as an advocate for LGBTQIA+ and body positivity and has been featured in the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, and on Oprah. In this episode, Chaya shares a bit more about Mechanic Shop Femme, why her audience doesn’t have the automotive education they need, and how “car bro culture” plays into her work. She is paving her own path in the male-dominated automotive industry, not just by being unapologetically herself but by carving out a place so that others can do the same. Chaya has so much amazing insight and advice to share, so make sure to tune in today!

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The construction industry is one of the best industries for women to gain parity and is a sector with one of the smallest gender pay gaps. This does not mean there is not still a great deal of work to be done in the space. Rita Brown is a passionate and proven advocate for the advancement of women in construction. She is an award-winning writer, entrepreneur, and construction industry professional with over 25 years of experience. Wearing many hats, Rita is the CEO of BCC+, which covers the niches of steel detailing, the COO of Detroit Steel, and the Co-Owner of Bold Bitch Media. In this episode, we talk about Rita’s construction experience and how it ties into her interest in politics and social justice. We also hear about the importance of diversity and how a self-interest and bottom-line-driven argument will ultimately result in meaningful change. Underrepresented groups like women and minorities need to have supportive spaces where they can drive conversations around inclusion. Rita touches on the work she does through Project Accelerate and North American Association Professionals in Building & Infrastructure and shares how you can get involved. She is a trailblazer in the construction industry, so be sure to tune in to hear it all!

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There is something so transformative and powerful, especially for young women, when your own hard work and skills are out in the world, being utilized for good by other people. Today’s guest is Emily Pilloton, the Founder and Executive Director of Girls Garage, a non-profit that has taught thousands of young girls how to use power tools, weld, and builds projects for their communities. Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of California Berkeley, and a Master of Fine Arts in Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is currently a Lecturer in the College of Environmental Design at the University of California Berkeley and is the author of three books, Design Revolution, Tell Them I Built This, Communities, and Lives With Design-Based Education, and most recently Girls Garage. Her work is documented in the full-length film, If You Build It, and has been featured on the TED Stage, in the New York Times and The Colbert Report, and presented to the Obama Administration’s Office of Science and Technology Policy at The White House. Tune in today to hear more about Emily’s dream of truly diverse leadership positions, the heart behind her non-profits, and how she views space, as well as the importance of exercising your brave muscle, and so much more!

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Just because you may work in a field dominated by men doesn’t mean you can’t be glamorous. Scientists and engineers can look however they want to look, all the while doing some really awesome stuff. Today’s guest is a rocket scientist by day and an editor in chief by night. Having graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering in 2018, Caeley Looney now works full time as a Mission Analyst for L3Harris Technologies, where she supports their small satellite programs. She is also the Founder and CEO of Reinvented Magazine, a nonprofit organization that seeks to empower young girls to pursue STEM fields through the creation of the nation's first-ever print magazine written for girls in STEM. In this episode, Caeley shares where her interest in aerospace engineering originated, what a day in her life as a mission analyst looks like, and why she relates with the movie, Legally Blonde. You’ll also find out about the joys and challenges of running a non-profit organization, being a strong woman leader, and battling with imposter syndrome, so don’t miss this episode!

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Transitioning from one male-dominated industry to another is not easy, but it is something today’s guest, Jhanel Wilson, has managed to do successfully. Jhanel is a Philadelphia-based chemical engineer turned real estate investor with a portfolio of over 10 million dollars. Her strategy focuses on small multifamily buy-and-hold, and she now teaches others in STEM jobs how to generate wealth through real estate. In this episode, we hear about Jhanel’s experience as a chemical engineer and what ultimately pushed her into pursuing real estate full-time. From a young age, Jhanel saw how owning properties helps create financial freedom, and when she started working, she knew it was something she had to do herself. We also talk about some of her biggest lessons, the benefit of standing out in male-dominated fields, and how women can bring their own touch to business endeavors. To hear it all, be sure to tune in today!

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Welcome back to part two of this interview with businesswoman, author, and a master storyteller, Mitzi Perdue. As the past president of the 40,000 member American Agri-Women, the widow of chicken magnate Frank Perdue, and the daughter of Sheraton Hotels Founder Ernest Henderson, Mitzi has been deeply involved in some highly successful U.S. family businesses. She has also forged her own path, creating a lasting legacy in her own business ventures. She has authored 22 books, is a syndicated columnist with over 1,600 articles, and has even hosted her own 400-episode television series, Country Magazine, which was syndicated to 76 stations. She is the founder of CERES Farms, a real estate investment company that has owned rice fields, commercial and residential real estate, and successful vineyards. These days, Mitzi spends most of her time fighting against modern slavery as part of a global effort to combat human trafficking, and is the founder of WTF, which stands for Win This Fight, through which Mitzi enables wealthy donors to convert high-end jewelry or works of art into cash that is then donated to anti-trafficking organizations. In this episode, you’ll hear more from Mitzi about making a family business last, the pros and cons of coming from a famous family, and her time on television, as well as how Mitzi is working to put an end to human trafficking. Make sure to tune in!

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Today’s guest is Mitzi Perdue, a businesswoman, author, and a master storyteller. She is the past president of the 40,000 member American Agri-Women, the nation’s largest coalition of women in farming and agribusiness. She is also the widow of chicken magnate, Frank Perdue, and has been deeply involved in the Perdue family businesses for many years, from agriculture to trucking, which is a major division of Perdue Farms. Over her long and illustrious career she has authored 22 books, is a syndicated columnist with over 1,600 articles, and even hosted her own 400-episode television series, Country Magazine, which was syndicated to 76 stations. She is the founder of CERES Farms, a real estate investment company that has owned rice fields, commercial and residential real estate, and successful vineyards. These days, Mitzi spends most of her time fighting against modern slavery as part of a global effort to combat human trafficking, and is the founder of WTF, which stands for Win This Fight, through which Mitzi enables wealthy donors to convert high-end jewelry or works of art into cash that is then donated to anti-trafficking organizations. In this episode, Mitzi shares her unique perspective as someone that played a role in two of the biggest family businesses in the U.S. – Perdue Farms and Sheraton Hotels, which her father, Ernest Henderson founded – and the key lessons that she learned. Find out how a food fight gave Mitzi the nickname Peach Blossom, why she went into real estate, and how she put into practice what she learned about business, and Mitzi talks about what it was like, being a woman in agriculture. Tune in today!

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