From Tutus to Tool Belts

A Message from Founder Kati Donahue

Hi, I’m Kati Donahue, founder and organizer of From Tutus to Tool Belts.

For years the HVAC industry has asked the question of “How do we get more women interested in the trades?” After thinking on this for a while I realized the trick might be to reach out to young ladies and introduce them to the trade while they are still young. Instead of waiting for them to become interested in the field when they are grown.

I myself grew up with a father who was a plumber by trade and I have many happy memories of helping him on side jobs…. that was until my brother became old enough to take my place and then I stayed at home with my mom and younger sister.

Fast forward to my sophomore year of high school, I was offered the opportunity to help with HVAC installation. With parent’s permission I was excited for the opportunity, my learning consisted of someone standing over my shoulder and instructing me what to do, this instruction often included the why it was done this way. Over the years my skill improved, my responsibilities increased and I was expected to complete tasks without guidance.

In February 2022, while listening to a podcast with Steve Thurmers’ “Bring Back the Trades”, the question again was presented, “How do we get more women interested in the trades?” I thought back to my own journey and that is where the first thoughts of creating an event geared specifically for girls came into being.

I can’t imagine that I would be teaching a trade and loving it. If I had not first been introduced to a trade by my father and even though it was short lived, it had a lasting impact on my life.

So, from this insight of my own childhood and the opportunity given to me when I was a sophomore, I started the “From Tutus to Tool Belts” event with just a prayer that it would be successful and well received. An event where girls in the 5-8^th grades had the opportunity to come to Jefferson College and get some hand-on experience with HVAC.

Through the various event I have had industry partners join us in helping make the event a success for the girls in hopes that one day when they get to decide what they want to do when they grow up, they might think back upon the Tutus to Tool Belts event with a smile and that they might pursue HVAC or another non-traditional line of work for a career. This October we will host our 8^th event; without the support of industry partners this would not be the success that it is! Thanks so much for your continued support.

For additional information, please contact: Kati Donahue, 636-481-3497 or ktheurer@jeffco.edu