So why do so few women post here?

[Pete VanderLaan]

Well... why? ....

[Shawn Everette]

Don't want to hang around a bunch of old farts?

I'm not the fool that's going to suggest that women are less mechanically inclined, but rather not mechanically encouraged. I've had this discussion with my partner about the tech opportunities that almost never go to women.

Any way to get a good demographic on the membership?

[Pete VanderLaan]

I can go through the active members one by one. The membership is always in flux but I regularly see women applying for it and occasionally I see postings but almost always in an "I want to buy/sell" mode. Roseanna periodically posts observations about the trade. She's been around a long time.

Scott Benefield noted this back when he wrote an article on the color classes. I think in the four I taught back in Santa Fe, two had one woman each. The class here had three as I recall and they were women with businesses that had been around quite a while. Smart, involved, good insights and worked well with the larger groups in all cases. No mansplaining I can recall. If anything it was the opposite from one woman in the second class.

Not many in the trade shows either actually.

I think that the response to the question here from all these women is overwhelming.

[Rick Wilton]

and yet almost every fusing class is 80%+ women.

[Pete VanderLaan]

Originally Posted by Rick Wilton

and yet almost every fusing class is 80%+ women.

****
I agree with that and if you look at the warm glass board it has input from both sexes constantly. Speculating over that runs some enormous risks I suspect. Mechanical skills? Welding Skills, Electrical wiring skills, all traditionally male occupations. Instructors failing to take female students seriously? If I looked back on the success levels of women in the '70's and 80's I think of Flora and Joey, Sonya B. Flo Perkins to a degree, Audrey Handler , Anne Warff at Kosta. I have no doubt that leaves many out and I'd just apologize in advance but they came to mind. It's always been a male dominated field.

In fusing, there's tons and bunches.

[Shawn Everette]

My fusing classes are out numbered 4 to 1, but my blowing tends to be more evenly split. I remember being outnumbered all through college as well. It does seem that once you're out of education the numbers tilt toward the men.

This tends to be more of a fabrication and tech site, of which I've seen almost no women doing. That would help explain some of the lack on posting. Since colleges don't really teach tech, where there could be a lead to a more even dissemination of knowledge, there is some other buffer in the way.

While the torch scene seems to be over run by a lot of dude bros, there are some truly kick ass women in that field right now. Also, there is no denying the skills brought to blowing by Nancy and Karen. But again, that is all about glass talent, and not what most of this site is centered around.

[Sky Campbell]

That's right the women are smarter!

[Pete VanderLaan]

well, I appreciate the input I've gotten from women here.

[Charles Friedman]

I thought that where a lot of female attendees at GAS St. Pete. I would guess more than half.

[Josh Bernbaum]

Just as an aside, but somewhat related, is that I heard recently that the person that has been hired for the next tech position at the RISD shop happens to be female.

[Pete VanderLaan]

Originally Posted by Charles Friedman

I thought that where a lot of female attendees at GAS St. Pete. I would guess more than half.

*****
I see that again and again but I don't think it addresses the question. The fusing/ boro contingent has grow by huge numbers over the years for a variety of reasons. I think Shawn is more tuned to it in terms of teaching opportunities and basic prejudices that started early.

Who is the last Shop Tech you've heard of out of the many hired who is female? If Bruce did that, and she's qualified, that's commendable.
Then, who's the last one running the program? Not many.

[Shawn Everette]

Again, women in the medium is prolific, which is great. Women on the tech side is lacking, which is sad.

[Rosanna Gusler]

Don't know. I just love the science available here.

[Rich Samuel]

Elin Christopherson was glass tech at Pratt for a few years, but that was a long time ago.

[Monte G Becker]

Last time I took a class at corning, there were

4 old guys (I was the youngest at late 50's) - in it for the hobby or at best, to break even.

4 young women (I'd guess in their 20's) - in it for life, in it for a career.

1 young guy

Maybe that observation has something to do with the demographics of this forum...

[Pete VanderLaan]

Originally Posted by Rosanna Gusler

Don't know. I just love the science available here.

***
Can you be more specific?

[Shawn Everette]

Science? We don't need no stinking science!

[Shawn Everette]

Originally Posted by Monte G Becker

4 young women (I'd guess in their 20's) - in it for life, in it for a career

What career? The universal shift to underpaid adjunct? Market crash crumbs craft market?

I get in it for life, but unless you know how to fix stuff, the competition is fierce for any good careers.

[Pete VanderLaan]

Originally Posted by Monte G Becker

Last time I took a class at corning, there were



Maybe that observation has something to do with the demographics of this forum...

And what class? That matters. I don't understand the statement about demographics however. What do you mean?

Now that your automobile can really only be fixed by just replacing the entire computer module, which can only be diagnosed buying the software from the manufacturer, tech work becomes simpler and stupider. My bout with the Dwyer tech yesterday tells me just how little they really know. it's why I like my old MGB but that affair ends bitterly when I discover it was supplied by Lucas.

[Monte G Becker]

The class was with Boyd and Lisa - they are big on form and color in a repeatable manner. Loved the class and recommend it. (And Corning too!)

The observation is just that where 2 observed demographics, and only one of them is showing up in this forum. Why? Couldn't say.

Figure out what the 2nd demographic is looking for, present it, and maybe they will join up. How to do that? Couldn't say. Sorry I'm not being helpful here.

Monte

[Shawn Everette]

Considering the mild temperament of this form compared to others on the interwebs, I don't really see any thing that needs to change about craftweb. This is a place for opensource information on technology, equipment, and chemistry; and it's presented well in my opinion, open to anyone. Not sure what else needs to be offered.

[Pete VanderLaan]

I wasn't contemplating any change in this regard. I was just curious. It's kind of what Franklin periodically does but in a geeky sort of way.

[Rosanna Gusler]

Originally Posted by Pete VanderLaan

***
Can you be more specific?

I just learn so much hsre. I pretty much read every post. Eventually even electrical stuff begins to make sense. Love the glass chemistry.

[Tom Fuhrman]

I think there is not a large number of women who actually own their own studios and quite a few that do are co-owners with men and their mates may be registered and post on this forum. Barb used to be active here but as many others have, she is no longer actively making glass. I.E. Mary Beth never seems to chime in here.

[Pete VanderLaan]

MaryBeth doesn't see any reason to. SHe has to put up with me all day. That's more than enough. Usually, when she wants something, I already know where to direct her. She doesn't do the chemistry and primarily works in design and process. Those are things we don't do much on the board.

Barb was regular, she got smart and got a career in fast foods.