Women in Manufacturing Indiana

??♀? Join WiM Indiana for an Inspiring Event! ??♀? ?? Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2024? ? Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET? ?? Location: Virtual Women in industrial settings often wear workwear designed for men—leading to uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe conditions. Lisa Hutson, owner and CEO of Cosawove Workwear?, set out to change that! When tasked with creating fire-resistant maternity workwear, she sparked a revolution in women's workwear. Join Women in Manufacturing Indiana for a lunchtime webinar to hear Lisa's journey and discuss how she’s transforming women’s workwear in manufacturing worldwide! ???? ??? Cost to Attend:? WiM Members: FREE? Nonmembers: $10 Don't miss this empowering conversation! Register here:?https://lnkd.in/gJGy2sgE #WomenInManufacturing?#WiM #WiMIndiana #Manufacturing

Women in Manufacturing Indiana, check this out! ?? Vera Bradley belongs to every woman who rejects the notion of sameness and the suggestion of conformity and chooses to be bold and expressive in all the ways that matter to them. Now you get the chance to take a tour at their distribution center that services operations from across the globe! Come hear Pam Sours and Terry Nichter speak about operations, processing and get a first-hand look at digital fabric printing and monogramming! Click the link below to sign up today! https://lnkd.in/gZxud8C8

Women in Manufacturing Indiana, meet Cassie Gumienny! Cassie is the Sponsorship Director for WiM Indiana and came in with her guns a-blazing! Cassie has been a fantastic addition to the WiM Indiana team and has helped create and formulate ways to help support the Women in Manufacturing Indiana chapter by providing a sponsorship directive that has multiple options with several different tiers for companies or individuals that would like to support the chapter. If you see Cassie, please say hello and connect! Thanks for being an excellent friend and teammate Cassie!

Hey Women in Manufacturing Indiana! Now accepting applications for the 2025 cohort!

I've been seeing this photo make the rounds on social media lately, so let's talk for a moment on the photo of the construction worker wearing pink PPE because he forgot his standard gear. I couldn’t help but reflect on how this impacts the broader conversation about gender, inclusion, and the treatment of workers. The idea of using pink as a form of "shaming" someone into remembering their safety equipment feels problematic, especially when we consider how it affects women in male-populated industries like construction. While the intent might be to make a point about responsibility (or to highlight a rookie worker, as I've personally seen on jobsites), it’s important to remember that this approach can unintentionally reinforce stereotypes that marginalize women and further separate them from the rest of the workforce. For women, pink PPE often represents a forced gender distinction that we didn’t choose. In a field where we already face challenges to be taken seriously, having to wear gear that is overtly feminized or doesn’t fit properly only adds to that divide. Women don’t want to stand out for wearing different colors or "special" gear—we want PPE that fits our bodies and supports our safety without highlighting our gender. The focus should be on ensuring everyone has the right gear, not making women feel like they’re exceptions. Additionally, the normalization of pink as the “other” color for workers who stand out in some way reinforces the idea that women, minorities, or "outsiders" don’t belong in certain spaces. In essence, it can marginalize us by signaling that we are different or less capable because we are wearing something that marks us as separate. If we want a truly inclusive workforce, we need to focus on ensuring that all PPE is properly designed to fit everyone, regardless of gender, and that no one is made to feel lesser for their appearance or their role. At the end of the day, the goal should be safety, equality, and respect for everyone on the job site. Using gendered colors or making workers stand out for reasons unrelated to their skills or performance only serves to reinforce unnecessary barriers. We deserve to be seen for our work, not for the color of our gear. #workplacesafety #psychologicalsafety #equity

We are excited to announce that registration is now open for the inaugural Men as Allies Conference, happening on February 19-20, 2025, in Clearwater Beach, FL. Designed for men in leadership roles, the conference will explore strategies and best practices to actively support and champion women in the industry, driving lasting organizational change in #manufacturing. Space is limited, and while we're still finalizing the agenda, we've already secured speakers who will address meaningful and actionable topics related to the power of #allyship. Learn more - https://ow.ly/5Vuq50U5q2F #MenasAllies #WiMAllies

As I have observed the discussion on women in trades grow more and more over the last few years, I have noticed a common theme emerge. Listening to respond vs. listening to understanding the issues women are facing and its creating an unnecessary barrier towards closing critical gaps. At a recent safety conference, a conversation with a male colleague I have known for years in the industry, brought into sharp focus an ongoing challenge women face in the safety industry—and in trades more broadly. We started talking about barriers women encounter, from limited access to PPE that fits to navigating male-populated spaces. Yet every point I raised was met with a quick “Yes, but…” before a response came. “Yes, but... I think thats the minority of women who feel that way, not the majority” "Yes, but.. I don't see that in my industry." Yes, but... he was listening to response verse listening to understanding the challenge women are facing. This kind of listening—where someone is poised to respond or challenge, rather than listening to truly understand—is a significant issue. It reinforces barriers by dismissing or minimizing our experiences instead of acknowledging the realities women confront daily. For us to make real strides in equity, especially in traditionally male-populated fields, we need allies who listen to understand. This means sitting with the discomfort of hearing about challenges you may not personally face and recognizing that our experiences might differ profoundly from your own. If we’re going to create an inclusive industry, we must move beyond “Yes, but…” responses. Let’s shift to listening with the goal of understanding, supporting, and driving real change. Let’s build workplaces where every voice—especially those historically marginalized—is not just heard but truly understood, because we all deserve to be in these space.

Women in Manufacturing Indiana, meet Carey Schmucker! Carey is the secretary for the WiM Indiana Chapter and a fantastic friend! Her work with the chapter does not go unnoticed and we are grateful to have her as part of our team! Carey is based in Ft. Wayne and is the Principal at Aegis Sales & Engineering, Inc.. Carey is active and engaged in several boards throughout the state of Indiana and has a passion for skilled trades. If you see Carey out and about, please say hello and connect!

Happy National STEM day Women in Manufacturing Indiana!

If you’ve ever found yourself as the only woman in a meeting or one of just a few at industry events, this webinar is for YOU. Join the Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation at their next Virtual Learning Series webinar on November 12 at 11:00 EST to hear from Laura Wilde, VP of Quality at Ultra Maritime, as she shares her journey and insights on navigating your career authentically. During the session, you’ll dive into self-discovery, preparation and the power of support in making meaningful changes to alter the gender ratio in our industry. Register now - https://lnkd.in/eQ_BKMm7 Virtual Learning Series webinars are free for WiM members and available to nonmembers for $35. #WomeninMFG #manufacturing