“Man”ufacturing is the last bastion of masculinity, but strangely enough it’s been at a heavy equipment manufacturer that I’ve found some of the best female friends a girl could ask for. Maybe it’s because we’re banding together to create a girls’ club within the world of testosterone, or maybe it’s because the boys’ club attracts a certain kind of woman: down to earth, practical, funny, intelligent, and hardworking. In short, all the things I’ve always found in my best male friends.
I didn’t realize until I went out to dinner the other night with Ethel and Thursa how much fun it could really be to hang out with just the girls. When I first met Ethel about two years ago, I never thought we’d be friends because she’s one of those beautiful Southern girls who always looks perfect and never has a hair out of place. I soon learned that underneath that beautiful blonde hair was a streak of will and determination that matched my own. While I went to college right out of high school and had the luxury of going full time, Ethel went to college while she was working full time and raising a family. She’s also one of those people who doesn’t leave at 5 just because it’s quitting time, she stays till the job is done. Ethel knows I’ve been going through a hard time lately and she’s truly been there for me. She wrote me the most heartfelt email after my dad died sharing how she’d felt when someone close to her died and when she said I could cry on her shoulder anytime, I knew she meant it. Thanks to her friendship, I now have a beautiful silver four leaf clover necklace that reminds me every time I look at it how blessed I am to have Ethel in my life.
I met Thursa for the first time this week and I wasn’t sure what to expect because the first time I spoke to her on the phone I heard the sweetest Southern drawl and I found out from talking to the guys at work that she’d been at our company for 22 years. Thursa wasn’t what I was expecting; she was a dynamic and pragmatic woman who knows her job and who knows more than any of us what it’s like to work in the boys’ club. Listening to Thursa, I realized how truly lucky I was to get some of the opportunities I’ve gotten. I was so impressed by her humor and good nature that I felt like I’d met someone who could truly be a friend.
Dinner with Thursa and Ethel was an experience as we laughed, talked, and shared stories about traveling and life. Ethel and I had the all-you-could-eat crab legs and we both agreed that we were glad the boys weren’t around, because in the girls’ club, we could eat all we wanted without feeling like pigs.
Grace is one of the most beautiful women I know both inside and out and I feel blessed every time I get to spend time with her. She’s one of those women who is so pretty that if she wasn’t also genuine, sweet, and funny I’d hate her. I enjoy every minute I get to spend with her because she has a wonderful sense of humor and a “can do” attitude. Despite her hectic life (think full time job and two year old), Grace is one of those people who always sounds happy to hear from you no matter how busy she is. I called her today to finalize plans for a trip we’re going on tomorrow and despite being on vacation out of state, she called me back as soon as she saw she’d missed my call and we had a great conversation.
I have not and probably never will be the athletic type, so you’d think the last person I would enjoy spending time with would be someone who seems to be the epitome of sporty, but I always like hanging with Temperance. She’s one of those brainy and athletic types that always intimidated me, because while I might be able to compete in the classroom, I knew I could never compete on the playing field. But Temperance isn’t like the snotty and full of themselves athletes who strolled the halls of high school; she’s a caring and nurturing young woman who’s trying to balance the demands of work with her personal life. She’s also self aware enough to know that sometimes you have to take a step back to take a step forward. I’ve learned a lot from Temperance about making your personal life a priority and about staying true to yourself.
Natalie is a natural nurturer and when you’re around her, you always feel like no matter how big the crisis, she will find a way to make things all right. She’s one of those people that always finds the good in everyone and that makes her one of those people whose opinion matters to me. Someone whose respect I truly want. That’s not to say that Natalie is a goody two shoes without a sense of fun, because she definitely has a sense of humor (can anyone say hand sanitizer?). As a boss Natalie is one of the great ones who truly encourages and empowers her people and those who work for her should consider themselves fortunate.
Finding people you truly like and respect at work isn’t always easy and that’s why I consider myself truly fortunate, that I’ve found the girls’ club within the boys’ club.
Cairn by Cairn 