18th Annual Women Can Do! Conference Draws a Record Crowd

02 Nov 2016

Women Can Do! is a one-day event that provides hands-on, career-immersion experience for 9th-12th grade girls. Featuring more than 75 experiential workshops and action-expo stations that get students in the driver seat of construction vehicles; extracting DNA in a science laboratory; hacking code to learn about computer security; and more. Highlighting jobs in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), and the skilled trades. The day is designed both to expose girls to the wide range of work possibilities in growing STEM fields, as well as to support young women enrolled in non-traditional programs at Vermont technical & career centers. All workshops are hands-on (and visual), designed to give young women the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and try out the real equipment, tools and techniques used on the job.

[View the Channel 5 feature]

The Women Can Do! Conference aims to contribute to a future in which young women experience supportive relationships with peers, adults and mentors that lead to success in school and work, and have access to careers that engage, challenge and lead to economic independence.

This year we achieved the following:

  • 533 girls registered
  • 165 Instructors, including 90 Action Expo and 75 Workshop instructors
  • 20 Student-leaders from Tech Centers around the state
  • Approximately 30 volunteers, including a group from National Life
  • 35 Workshops
  • 40 Action-Expo Exhibits
  • 47 Schools represented from14 Vermont counties
  • 4 States represented: VT, NH, MA and NY

Many thanks to the Vermont Tech faculty and staff who provided instruction or support for the event, including Steve Belitsos, Dr. Kim Crowe, Jennifer Davis, Chris Gray, Robin Guillian, Greg Hughes, Alex Northern, Jeremy Ouellette, Rob Palmer, Joan Richmond-Hall, Doug Smith, Page Spiess, and Joe Witt along with Rose Distel, Laurel Butler, Cory Lussier, Maureen Hebert and Jessica Van Deren. Vermont Tech alumnae were also on hand, many of whom are also Rosie’s Girls mentors, namely keynote speaker Desiree Cerretani, Esther Covey, Patty Danahy, Kristi Denko, Elissa Lee and Serentity Wolf.

To view photos from the event, please visit the Vermont Tech Flikr site.

Vermont Works for Women helps women and girls recognize their potential and explore, pursue, and excel in work that leads to economic independence. Our three strategic areas include: moving women into employment success; investing in girls, the next generation; and advocating for large-scale culture change for women & girls. Learn more at vtworksforwomen.org.