In an industry where women are a rare sight, Marquia Wooten is bulldozing stereotypes with a splash of color, "Coloring Strength," a coloring book designed to inspire women to envision themselves in the construction field, Wooten, a heavy equipment operator whose appearance belies her tough job, wants to shift perceptions and open doors for women in a male-dominated sector, according to the Seattle Office of Economic Development.
"I’m petite, I’m a girly girl," Wooten said, painting a picture that contrasts with the usual brawny, hard-hat image of a construction worker, "If I got on the bus right now, no one would think I operate heavy equipment," she told the Seattle Office of Economic Development, her story not just about challenging norms but also about finding a fulfilling career path starting back in 2014 when as a single mother she was scraping by living paycheck to paycheck, looking for something more stable and rewarding.
With the support of programs such as the Regional Pre-apprenticeship Collaboration and ANEW, an initiative that trains people underrepresented in construction, Wooten found her calling, though initially hesitant because the world of sawdust and steel beams seemed like foreign territory but the revelation that her best friend’s mom was an electrician served as a pivotal moment, turning her skepticism to aspiration, the Seattle Office of Economic Development highlights the importance of such programs in providing skills and opportunities to step into leadership roles within the industry.
"I was hesitant at first. I didn’t think it would be a good fit for me," Wooten recalled, an uncertainty that vanished once she learned about the success of someone close to her within the field which was when she decided to take a leap of faith and enroll in ANEW's pre-apprenticeship program, this catalyst moment proving instrumental in her pursuit to change the face of construction, her journey and the creation of "Coloring Strength" spotlighting the potential for diversity in construction and challenging the outdated notions that continue to cement the gender divide.
