3. 3
Celebrating 25 years of building confidence,
teaching skills and changing lives
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to Vermont Works for Women’s
Labor of Love exhibit. When we thought about our 25th anniversary, we
decided it most appropriate to celebrate by honoring women who
represent the spirit of our founders and the women and girls who have
been part of our history.
The twenty-nine women featured in Labor of Love were chosen from
among 150 nominated by their peers throughout the state. They were
chosen for the quality of their work and the relish with which they do it.
Through Labor of Love we not only pay tribute to our honorees, but to
work itself. At its best, work not only pays the bills but is a vehicle for
self-expression. It can expose us to mentors who encourage us and
challenge us to stretch. And it can connect us to a broader community,
whose needs and opportunities can influence our opinions and the
choices we make over time.
If there’s an immediate call to action implied in Labor of Love, it is to
encourage deliberate discussion – among adults, and between children
and the adults in their lives – about the choices we have made and the
twists and turns of our individual journeys. These are stories worth
sharing! They can help us to think differently, or more expansively.
They can bolster our resolve when patience wears thin. They can help
us tolerate periods of ambiguity. And, because storytelling is an act of
communion between two or more people, it has the potential to forge
relationships that can support us over the long haul.
If you like what you’ve seen, tell others about Labor of Love and
encourage them to visit the exhibit as it travels the state over the next
twelve months. The lives it celebrates can only help to inspire young
people to make choices that are better-informed, grounded in
self-knowledge, and deliberate. That, in the end, is our fondest,
fiercest desire for the children in our lives.
Thank you for supporting our work and helping us toast our first
25 years,
Tiffany Bluemle
Executive Director
4. 4
Vermont Works for Women helps women and
girls recognize their potential and explore,
pursue, and excel in work that leads
to economic independence.
We work toward the day when women and girls make confident,
deliberate choices about life and work that reflect an expansive grasp
of the world’s possibilities, a fearless commitment to pursuing their
dreams, and that contribute to the vitality of our communities.
Research proves the link between job training and lower poverty rates.
Investments in training can put Vermont women to work — reducing
dependency on government services and raising tax revenue. Clearly,
investing in girls and women is good for our communities and the
economy. Vermont Works for Women’s programs offer opportunities
to explore different interests, to build confidence through mentoring or
coaching, and to develop and perfect skills through hands-on training.
Board of Trustees Staff
Amy Judd Angela Emery
Beth Sachs Ann Reading
Carolyn Cooke Annie Crawford
Christa Shute Erin Galloway
Jolinda LaClair Jean Sievert
Kat Clear Kali Alvarez
Kate Robinson Schubart Karen Dolan
Linda Markin Kate Welle
Lloyd Grunvald Kathy Johnson
Mary Anne Sjoblom Kelly Walsh
Pat Sears Leigh Steele
Polly Nichol Louise Mastin
Retta Huttlinger Lucy Comstock-Gay
Steve Gold Melissa Corbin
Nadine Budbill
Nance Nahmias
Rachel Jolly
Sarah Jumonville
Sarah Loveless
StaciAnne Grove
Tiffany Bluemle
Labor of Love
Nominations Committee
Volunteers
Brenda Bisbee
Kristen Brownlow
Mary Claire Carroll
Sabina Haskell
Staff
Lucy Comstock-Gay
StaciAnne Grove
6. 6
About the Labor of Love Exhibit
Labor of Love celebrates individual women who are passionate about
their work, whether as a dairy farmer, law enforcement professional, or
educator. They are filmmakers, tattoo artists, heads of colleges, general
store clerks, and doctors. They hail from Newport to Vernon. They are
young and young-at-heart, well-known and not.
These 29 honorees were selected from more than 150 different women
who were nominated from across Vermont by friends, family members,
and co-workers. Young women with an interest in exploring career
choices and leadership were chosen to interview the honorees and learn
about their work and passions.
Our Creative Partners
The Vermont Folklife Center’s mission is to
broaden, strengthen, and deepen our understanding
of Vermont and the surrounding region; to assure a
repository for our collective cultural memory; and to
strengthen communities by building connections
among the diverse peoples of Vermont. As a Labor of
Love partner, the Folklife Center trained the young
women involved in this project in ethnographic
interviewing and edited audio from their interviews to appear with the
exhibit. These interviews and their transcripts have been archived at the
Vermont Folklife Center where they will be available for generations to
come.
Mary Claire Carroll is the photographer for Labor of
Love. She says, “When VWW approached me about
creating a photo exhibit honoring women and their work,
I jumped at the chance to get involved. I traveled around
the state photographing the honorees during the spring
and early summer. For the most part, each honoree and
I collaborated on the photo sessions, particularly in
planning where we would hold the sessions. My goal was
always to make the portrait shoot fun and to bring out her passion,
not just for her work, but for life as well. It was a joy to work with these
amazing women.”
Lewis Creek Builders is a dynamic team that builds
and renovates homes that are beautiful, comfortable,
sustainable, healthy, and green. Amy Judd and Mark
Couet of Lewis Creek Builders designed and crafted the
wooden and copper displays for the Labor of Love
exhibit.
7. 7
Labor of Love Interview Team
Interviews with the honorees were conducted by a group of talented young
women in grades 8-12 from across Vermont. They shared an interest in
meeting these remarkable working women to learn about career choices,
leadership, and professional inspiration.
Thank you for your help in creating Labor of Love!
Jordan Cannon
Mary Chambers
Emma Lea Hearthstone
Rosie Kirk
Brooke Kurutza
Kiana LaFleche
Quinn McVeigh
Mikayla Montani
The Labor of Love exhibit is proudly supported by:
Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, P.C.
Lewis Creek Builders
Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Bonnie Mullaney
Meghan Owens
Elizabeth Pidgeon
Amanda Preston
Lexie Shaw
Katie Stames
Brooke Wells
9. 9
Listen up!
Labor of Love champions 29 Vermonters and their work. This exhibit
consists of photographs of the honorees and audio excerpts from
interviews conducted by young women from across the state.
Hear the honorees’ comments and insights on their work. Using your
phone, simply dial the number listed below each portrait. We hope you
will enjoy this unique opportunity to listen to the women speak about
their work in their own words.
Listening is free, but your normal cell phone plan minutes will apply.
The number for each honoree’s audio is also included in this
guide so that you may access it from any location, at any time.
Main Number:
802-922-9259
Once in the audio portion of the exhibit, you will hear a brief greeting
and instructions on how to access specific recordings.
You may use the following commands at any time:
Press 1 Rewind
Press 2 Pause or resume
Press 3 Fast forward
Press # Skip
11. 11
Cristina Alicea Recording 303
Artistic Director, Vermont Stage Company
Cristina is an example of how important it is for women to
actively create the work they want. Only a few years after
graduating from college, she became her own boss at her
own theater company so that she could produce and direct
the plays about which she was most passionate. She
consciously continued to seek out the knowledge and ex-
perience she needed to continue to do the work she cared
about. She is carrying out her vision with the courage of
her convictions and a delightful, infectious sense of humor
and realism.
Lucie deLaBruere Recording 312
Educational Technology Consultant
Lucie is a leader in technology integration in schools - she
helps teachers integrate technology into their work with
students. Lucie works with elementary, middle and high
school students; she does professional development with
educators; she teaches graduate courses; she is a Google-
certified instructor. Whatever the most current technol-
ogy, Lucie learns it while it is cutting edge and takes it to
students and educators. Her nominator noted, “She is
passionate about technology and about girls and gender
equity. She loves her work. It seems there is no end to her
enthusiasm, commitment, and zeal.”
Meet our Honorees
This exhibit recognizes exceptional working women as part of Vermont
Works for Women’s 25th anniversary. We honor these women for their
hard work and dedication. Their extraordinary passion, determination and
courage inspire us in the work we do. We thank them for sharing their
stories! The profiles below were crafted from various sources, including the
nominations and interviews.
To access the recordings, dial 802-922-9259
and follow the directions from the greeting.
With each short profile is the recording number you can use
to hear an excerpt of the accompanying interview.
12. 12
Carina Driscoll Recording 316
Founder, Vermont Woodworking School
As co-founder and former Program and Site Director at
Vermont Woodworking School for Burlington College,
Carina exemplifies how work can fulfill one’s own needs
while also serving a greater purpose. Her nominators sin-
gled out her entrepreneurial nature and strong leadership
skills as key factors that led to the founding of the school.
In addition to being “ambitious, bright, and a positive
leader, her ability to bring people in to participate in this
project, utilize their strengths, and recognize them as an
important part of something bigger differentiates her from
others in her field.”
Kim Furlong & Carolyn Dicicco Recording 326
Former Owners, Barnard General Store
Kim and Carolyn owned and operated the Barnard General
Store for 18 years. According to their nominator, “They are
the hardest working people I have known in my years here
in Vermont. They live and work this store 24/7 … and hold a
very special place in the hearts of each and every person in
this community.” In the wake of Tropical Storm Irene and
the snowless winter that followed, Kim and Carolyn made
the painful decision to close the store. “We would never have
intended to leave the community without their store. It was
just the most wonderful place and loving experience. It
really was a labor of love.”
Anne Galloway Recording 306
Founder/Editor-in-Chief, VTDigger.com
Anne’s nominator attributed the success of the online news
source VT Digger to her. As founder and editor-in-chief,
Anne is “committed to the underlying principle of a strong,
fact-based press and its critical role in maintaining a
functioning democracy.” Posting as many as three stories a
day, she is revered by her peers and “runs articulate and
credible opinion pieces from all ends of the political
spectrum.” In her interview with Mary Chambers, Anne said
of her work, “My job is to make the law-making process real
for people.”
13. 13
Nancy Heydinger Recording 323
Executive Director, Girls on the Run Vermont
Twelve years ago Nancy began Girls on the Run Vermont
with fifteen young women. In 2011, Girls on the Run
Vermont managed more than one hundred 10-12 week
program sites and hosted two major 5k running events
for over 5,000 runners. Nancy pursued the vision that
the program could be a big, bold, statewide reality for
thousands of girls and their families. Nancy also
continues to grow and learn as an athlete. Her nominator
said, “Nancy's enthusiasm and determination inject fun
and inspiration into my own work and play.”
Tara Kelly Recording 324
Executive Director, Rutland Area Farm and Food Link
Tara has enthusiastically led and championed the local food
movement in the Rutland area. She works toward “big
picture” goals that connect farming to health and nutrition
initiatives, sustainability movements, and economic
development efforts. Her nominator wrote, “Tara's ability
to connect with people from across Rutland's socio-
economic spectrum … is one of her greatest strengths and
what sets her apart in her field. She truly understands that
effective community building starts and ends with the
people in the community.”
Sandy Lincoln Recording 314
Owner, Sandy’s Books and Bakery
Through her store in Rochester, Sandy provides “a unique
gathering place for the community – an oasis of culture,
discussion, and education.” According to her employees
who nominated her, “She nourishes and nurtures everyone
with her healthy food and generous nature.” Building on
prior experience in books and food, Sandy has created a
sustainable, year-round business. “She has been basically a
self-taught, self-made woman. She learns by doing and tries
new things and experiments. All of her success is due to her
own hard work and ambition.”
14. 14
Vermont Works for Women Brings Lunafest to
Burlington for a 2nd year!
We hope you’ll join us
Friday, April 12th, 2013
at Main Street Landing
This year’s selection of films includes a short on Burlington
resident Georgena Terry, the founder of Terry - the Original
Women’s Bicycling Company.
Dynamic, hands-on
and adventure-based,
empowerment programs for
girls entering the
6th-8th grades
Learn more on our website
www.vtworksforwomen.org/girls
Next summer’s
memories are just
waiting to happen!
November 10 - December 31, 2012
Winooski Welcome Center & Gallery
January 4 - 30, 2013
Vermont Folklife Center, Middlebury
February 2 - 28, 2013
Vermont State House, Montpelier
March 2013
University of Vermont, Burlington
April 4 - June 26, 2013
G.R.A.C.E. Gallery, Hardwick
Watch the VWW
website for more dates,
locations and events!
15. 15
Deborah Lisi-Baker Recording 305
Associate Director, Center on Disability and Community Inclusion, UVM
Deborah has dedicated her career to advocating for the
human and civil rights of people with disabilities. Her
nominator stated that “She is one of a handful of individuals
in Vermont whose name is consistently mentioned when the
subject of disability rights is discussed. She has been and
continues to be a driving force in this battle.” In her
interview with Bonnie Mullaney, Deborah said, “It is part
of our commitment as Americans to be equal. Getting
people to understand that and own it … is a big
challenge. I’ve seen remarkable changes.”
Lucy Martin Recording 321
Manager, White’s Fuel Stop
As manager of White’s Fuel Stop in Danby who puts in
14-hour days, Lucy loves her work, and her customers
love her. According to her daughter who nominated her,
some people in town will only go to the store when Lucy is
there, and she goes above and beyond for everyone. “My
mom shows that her work does pay. She has given herself
so much by working, and she has shown me that hard
work will get you what you need in life.”
Ita Meno Recording 307
Code Enforcement Inspector, City of Burlington
Ita ensures that all rental housing in the city of Burlington
is safe and habitable. As her nominator stated, she is
exceptional, and she makes a difference in people’s lives.
“Home is personal and is supposed to be comforting and
safe, yet for many people it is not. These people may or
may not understand their rights … they may feel scared
of eviction, and they might not have anywhere else to go.
Ita is there to listen to them when they have concerns and
to ensure that their house can be a home. She gives
them hope.”
16. 16
Barbara Murphy Recording 320
President, Johnson State College
As President of Johnson State College since 2001, Barbara is
known for her ability to “balance policy and mission with
compassion and a human touch.” Her nominator stated
that “she is positively regarded by her peers, both in higher
education circles and in the community, but also by those
she supervises as well as those who supervise her. It's the
quality of her wide-ranging intellect that distinguishes her,
plus the way she empowers those around her. She exudes
genuine enthusiasm for all things Johnson State College,
and makes them grist for her incredibly hard-working mill.”
Meredith Muse Martin Recording 301
Owner, Shady Lady Tattoo Parlour
Meredith is a tattoo artist and the owner of the Shady Lady
Tattoo Parlour. According to her nominator, “She is so
much more than a tattoo artist. She helps people work
through difficult times … and has created her own shop, not
clinical like most tattoo parlors, but magical, welcoming,
and special.” As Meredith told her interviewer Elizabeth
Pidgeon, “I’ve made a really good business despite having
not really gotten a good education. I feel I’m not only a
good business owner but also a teacher and a leader in
my community.”
Bess O’Brien Recording 328
Filmmaker, Kingdom County Productions
Bess is one of Vermont's leading filmmakers and creative
artists. For more than 20 years, she has produced
documentaries, feature films, and theatrical works that
explore and illuminate the fabric, landscape, and culture
of Vermont. Her nominator cited her persistence,
determination, and compassion as qualities that distinguish
her in her field. “Despite the very daunting challenges of
running a non-profit arts organization, the work that Bess
produces is important, all-consuming, engaging, and
rewarding. It is central to who she is as a person and is
based on her values and ‘personal mission’ of social justice.”
17. 17
Nari Penson Recording 319
Teacher, The Schoolhouse Learning Center
Nari is in her 30th year as a teacher at The Schoolhouse, a
private, non-profit elementary school. Growing up in the
south during the life and time of Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Nari brings with her a depth of experience that few in Ver-
mont can claim. Her nomination noted that she “deserves
recognition for the way she demands justice in the fairest
way possible, the way she teaches her charges with great
love and equanimity, and for her graciousness through the
many years of melt-downs and other challenges that she has
finessed. She understands the beauty on the inside of every
child and gently encourages them to be their best.”
Diana V. Perez Recording 310
Legal Advocate, Women Helping Battered Women
Chinese Medicine Practitioner
Diana provides direct service to victims of domestic violence,
largely to seek relief and protection in Family Court, and en-
sures the program is running smoothly. Her nominator noted
that, “She has also introduced the notion of active self-care to
our staff at Women Helping. Doing crisis work, you can
forget how much you take out on yourself or your colleagues,
and she has created space and focus on our own needs so that
we may better help those we serve.” When not at Women
Helping, she practices Chinese medicine.
Mary Powell Recording 302
Chief Executive Officer, Green Mountain Power
Mary manages her high profile position with grace and com-
posure. As a deeply engaged board member at Vermont
Public Radio, Champlain College, and previously at the
Vermont Land Trust, Mary balances her demanding career
with civic and philanthropic engagement, inspiring
colleagues and community members alike. Powell spoke
about what keeps her going. “For me, it’s been really
important to do work that is meaningful, in the context of
Green Mountain Power, it is about moving towards a cleaner,
greener future but in a cost-effective way for Vermonters.”
18. 18
Annie Ramniceanu Recording 309
Clinical Director, Spectrum Youth and Family Services
Annie works at Spectrum in the dual role of Associate Ex-
ecutive Director and Clinical Director. As such, she oversees
all of the programs at Spectrum, including the mental
health/ substance abuse counseling unit, the substance
abuse prevention program in schools, the drop-in center for
homeless and at-risk teens, the residences for homeless and
foster youth, and the domestic violence intervention and
prevention programs. Her work sets the stage for these
clients to make better choices in their lives.
Jan Ruta Recording 317
Owner/Master Electrician, Jan Ruta Electric
Jan is a master electrician in central Vermont. In addition
to owning her own business, she also teaches frequently at
Yestermorrow Design/Build School and Barre Tech Center.
Jan is dedicated to passing along her skill and knowledge
to others, specifically mentoring other women. Her
nominator noted that, “When I went through the Step Up
program in 1999, Jan was the electrical instructor for my
class. She inspired me to actually pursue a career in the
electrical field, which I did and have been working in it for
over 10 years. Jan is the catalyst for that.”
Amanda Sheppard Recording 322
Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Amanda is a single mother who works tirelessly to better
her own life, the life of her son, and her community by
being a therapeutic riding instructor for adults and
children with special needs, be they physical or emotional
challenges. With her loving support and guidance, people's
lives are transformed by riding and caring for horses. Her
nominator wrote, “The impact is amazing, I have seen her
work with autistic children who really open up and achieve
in other areas of their lives because of her therapeutic
riding instructions. It is truly heartwarming.”
21. 21
Tracy Simon Recording 318
Lieutenant, Orange County Sherriff’s Office
Tracy is lead detective with the Special Investigations Unit.
She also assists in training new police officers,
investigates animal abuse and neglect cases, and does a lot
of work with troubled and at-risk children. In addition to
serving as a police officer, she has been an activist in
working to improve our DUI laws, and a resource for
everyone from troubled families to community leaders and
the Vermont legislature. Her special passion is mentoring,
so that the people she interacts with can not only solve
problems and improve things for themselves, but can also
grow to the point where they can pass it on.
Karen Sokol Recording 325
Owner, At Home Physicians
Karen is the founder and sole physician of At Home
Physicians, a home visit practice. She developed this
business because of her desire to spend more time with her
patients. She sees all her patients, from birth to end of life,
in their homes and in nursing homes, throughout
Chittenden County. She was nominated by one of her
patients, who said: “I am grateful for the logistical ease we
experience because Dr. Sokol comes to us. Mother has
dementia, and I take comfort in Dr. Sokol’s kind, gentle
manner as she interacts with her. She questions, listens
and evaluates with patience, warmth, and genuine concern.”
Michelle Tarryk Recording 311
Executive Director, Northeast Kingdom Learning Services
Michelle started her life in Vermont as a herdswoman on a
dairy farm. When the farm she was working on was sold,
she started as a recruiter for an UVM Extension Program
with the migrant farmer program, and moved to NEKLS
afterwards. A co-worker wrote of Michelle’s work, “Her
enthusiasm to try new ideas in service of our students has
had an impact on our community. The dedication,
enthusiasm and belief in others makes her an inspiration
and role model to many.”
22. 22
Candace Taylor Recording 304
Coordinator of Programming and Leadership Development , UVM
Candace is the coordinator of events and educational pro-
gramming at the UVM Women's Center. She supervises stu-
dents, and plans many events for the Women's Center in-
cluding The Vagina Monologues, Women of Color Retreat,
Women at Noon, and the Women's Award Banquet. She
makes time for and empowers those she comes in contact
with. Candace has deep roots outside the community of
UVM as well, working closely with community organizations
like RU12, Women Helping Battered Women, Women's
Rape Crisis Center, and Winooski Judicial Board.
Marie Tiemann Recording 308
Endowment Accountant, UVM
Marie is an Endowment Accountant at the University of
Vermont. Her journey from welfare recipient to accountant
for a $300 million endowment is truly inspirational. Her
nominator wrote, “She attended college part time so she
could prepare for a better life and still concentrate on
raising three children in a stable and loving home. Although
she was on welfare, she refused to let herself or her children
consider themselves poor; they were rich in relationships -
both family and friends. Today she encourages other single
mothers, mentors college students, is active in her church
and passes on her life skills in multiple settings.”
Brenda Torpy Recording 313
Chief Executive Officer, Champlain Housing Trust
Brenda was nominated by a group of colleagues and
supporters who wrote that, “Brenda is a force to be reckoned
with, constantly in motion inspiring all around her,
demanding all with whom she works to do more for
affordable housing. She is an inspiration to her staff,
her colleagues and to funders, helping all of us to make the
case that we can do the impossible and do it well. She is
passionate and articulate, never afraid to make the case for
social justice and equitable treatment of the least fortunate
among us.”
24. 24
The Schoolhouse Learning Center is beaming with pride, Nari.
Thanks for sharing your labor and your love
with us for the past 30 years!
www.theschoolhousevt.org
is proudly supported by
Vermont Recycles
Flowers
A “Good Will” Branch of
Chappell’s Florist
New life for
donated flowers
www.vermontrecyclesflowers.com
25. 25
Rosina Wallace Recording 315
Dairy Farmer
Rosina was nominated by a friend who wrote, “Rosina's labor
of love is being a dairy farmer. She also works at the Cabot
Annex selling the products of her labor. Vermont farming is
Rosina's life and she loves to share her farm and knowledge
with schools and day care groups every chance she gets. She
has a program where the children come for a visit at the farm
to learn about Vermont dairy farming and to taste the health
benefits that come from having farms in our state. Rosina
works long hours to care for her animals and is a steward of
the land. Anyone that knows her respects her dedication.”
Hannah Deene Wood Recording 327
Owner, Talent Skatepark
Hannah’s nomination was from a fellow Zumba®
instructor. Her nomination spoke of Hannah’s deep
passion for working with kids. “Talent Skatepark is more
than just a recreation facility. Hannah has helped create a
place where kids can go, be safe and practice what they
love. Hannah knows and cares about each and every
person who walks in the door. She has kids that started
skating at Talent 10 years ago still hanging out and/or
working at the park and shop. They see Hannah as a role
model and respect her tremendously.”
26. 26
Training Women
Using foodservice skills to prepare
women for the workforce
Feeding Children
Providing nutritious meals to the youth
in our community
Sourcing Locally
Supporting local agriculture and building
relationships with Vermont businesses
VWW Celebrates All the remarkable Women
who were Nominated for their Labor of Love
Erin Ahearn Julia Andrews Dee Barbic PJ Beauchamp
Trine Bech Carol Bick Susan Biggam Carol Blattspieler
Janette Bombardier Jaime Bressler Valerie Brosseau Maureen Brown
Anjali Budreski Cornelia Carey Sarah Carpenter Adrianne Carr
Nancy Cassidy Jennifer Castle Kim Coe Jennifer Cohen
Sara Couture Diane Dalmasse Sally Dames Lauren-Glenn Davitian
Amy Dohner Lucille Dyer Daisy Frederick Poppy Gall Victoria Garrison
Barbara Geries Patricia Giavara Sue Gillis Rachel Gitajn
Sky Barsch Gleiner Barbara Grimes Sharon Gutwin Elise Guyette
Addie Hall Gwen Hallsmith Leslie Halperin Carole Harvey Ellen Hill
Mary Hill Morgaine Jennings Marie Jewett Linda Johnson
Ingrid Jonas Dorigen Keeney Jess Kell Jill Krowinski
Cheryl LaLancette Susan Leader Cindy Locke Victoria Loner
Rita Markley Patricia McAllister Wendy McArdle Pam McCarthy
Jennifer McGowan Felicia Messuri Natalie Miller Sue Minter
Colleen Montgomery Carol Morgan-Brown Meg Mott
Lauren Moye Emma Mulvaney-Stanak Louise Murphy Aimee Nolan
Audra Pinto Renee Bourget Place Carol Pratt Linda Ramsdell
Judy Rickstad Jan Riordan Sharon Ross Kris Rowley
Jessica Sidway Sherry Siebenaler Kim Simonds
Chris Staats Janice Stuart Lisa Sylvester Heidi Tappan
Eve Thorsen Helen Toor Becca Van Dyke
Kate Vanderminden Lynn Vera Ann Vivian Marieken Volz
Bernadette Wagner Ann Weinstein Jodi Wheeler Sandra Wilbur
Jennifer Williams Maryann Zavez
For more information, contact
Melissa Corbin at 655.8900, x114
27. 27
LABOR OF LOVE DISCUSSION GUIDE
At its best, work connects us to our communities and to colleagues who
open our eyes and affirm our efforts. It gives us a sense of purpose. It
engages our passion, our intelligence, and our talent.
Children develop opinions about their
abilities at an early age. VWW offers
programs that introduce young women to
technical activities and the skilled trades –
not necessarily to encourage girls to choose
a specific career but rather to help them
express themselves, think critically, and
develop the capacities and confidence to go
forward in the world with eagerness and
self-confidence – all with a sense that
they can be or do whatever they wish.
Labor of Love offers a unique opportunity to
expose young people to a range of careers. We
hope that after you experience the exhibit you will feel inspired to both
ask about—and listen to — other’s stories.
Questions you may want to ask the children or youth
in your life:
What are some careers you think you might enjoy
when you are older?
What are your favorite subjects in school?
How do you like to spend your time outside of school?
How do you like to work? (with others, on your own, with your
hands, on a computer, using your body, inside, etc.)
What kind of training or education will you need to pursue
these careers?
If you don’t know what kind of training you would need, who can
help you find out?
Questions for children and youth to ask of people they respect
and look up to:
Describe what you do and what you love about it.
What did you do after high school and how did you find your way to
your current career?
Describe what you do and what work means to you.
Describe a “turning point” moment or a “special person” who
influenced you.
What advice would you have for a young person interested in
exploring career choices?
28. 28
building confidence
Teaching Skills
changing lives
VWW programs are designed with one central aim in mind: to assist
women and girls in thinking about their lives in the broadest terms —
and to help them develop skills and capacities that are critical to long-term
economic independence. It is widely known that women are twice as likely
as men, across all educational levels and age groups, to live in poverty.
What many don’t know is the fact that of women living below the poverty
rate, half are single with no dependent children.
The reasons are many, and generally well-documented. Women are paid
77% of what a man earns for the same work with comparable experience
and education. Over the course of a lifetime, that income gap amounts to
over $400,000 in lost earnings – which not only reduces her buying power
while employed, but reduces the social security benefit she will receive upon
retirement.
Women in the workforce also earn less because 40% work in traditionally
female fields (health care, education, elder or childcare, hospitality or retail
sales) in which wages are typically low – and lag about $3-5 behind entry-
level rates in traditionally male fields like construction, law enforcement or
manufacturing.
Women now provide almost 50% of the nation’s labor – and 36% of the
average family’s income. Addressing women’s poverty isn’t just a women’s
issue – it’s an issue for our families and the economy. This is where
Vermont Works for Women comes in.
PROVIDING ACCESS TO NONTRADITIONAL CAREERS
VWW offers intensive training programs for women interested in
pursuing nontraditional career paths such as building trades, renewable
energy and efficiency, and law enforcement. These programs – including
Step Up to Green Electrical and Plumbing, Step Up to Law
Enforcement, and Step Up to Telecommunications – are offered in
partnership with leading employers and are designed to help women enter
and flourish in those fields.
MOVING WOMEN INTO EMPLOYMENT
AND SUPPORTING THEIR SUCCESS
Our Transitional Jobs program is designed for women in Washington
and Chittenden Counties with little or no work experience (among them,
women coming off of public assistance) and/or women who are returning to
the community after incarceration. Through this program, participants are
placed in part-time transitional jobs and are supported by workplace men-
tors and weekly classes with VWW staff.
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FRESH Food, a social enterprise of VWW, uses the culinary field as the
backdrop for job training, providing nutritious meals to nearby childcare
centers while helping women develop the confidence and marketable skills
needed to transition into permanent employment. We prepare meals from
scratch and sell wholesome, nutritious food products with a commitment to
incorporating local ingredients and promoting socially responsible
practices that respect the environment and the trainees’ holistic wellbeing.
Beginning in 2011 with just four childcare centers, FRESH Food now serves
250 meals per day at 15 childcare centers and youth groups. The Centers
for Disease Control Obesity Prevention branch has recognized this program
as an exemplary central kitchen model in early care and education.
Our prison-based programs prepare inmates for re-entry through job
training and one-on-one pre-release planning. Through a partnership with
Mercy Connections, our mentoring program assists incarcerated women
as they transition into their community by helping them set goals and
connect with community resources. The recidivism rate for women who
participate in the mentoring program is one-tenth the state average.
INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION:
BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND AWARENESS
Rosie’s Girls and Dirt Divas are summer programs that serve over 100
middle school girls each year. Through the skilled trades or mountain bik-
ing activities, participants develop self-efficacy and a broader sense of their
options.
Our annual Women Can Do conference, now approaching its 15h year,
exposes high school girls to nontraditional career opportunities and encour-
ages them to take technical courses, enroll at technical high schools, and
consider careers in these fields. Nearly 500 hundred girls and their teachers
attend the conference each year.
Stay Connected to the Vision of VWW
Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter at
www.vtworksforwomen.org
Follow the VWW programs on Facebook:
/vtworksforwomen
/rosiesgirls
/freshfoodvt
