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3 6 S T U F F M A D E I N M A I N E \ F A L L 2 0 1 8 women. Most are also new Main- ers. She notes that many of these employees have already braved daunting personal challenges be- fore they first walk into the mill. "Even being able to communicate in English can be a major challenge for some of our employees," she says. Inspiration and advice Seeing her staff overcome such obstacles is a source of inspiration for Reynolds, she says, and she wants to share that inspiration with other women. "My advice for a woman enter- ing a field like this is, 'Take the risk to be yourself,'" she says, quoting Bruce Springsteen in a Broadway performance she recently attended. "Be prepared to step out into your strengths. Leave your fear behind." That's similar to counsel offered by Brodsky. "Women often fear asking for help, often don't want to speak up," Brodsky says. "But my suggestion [for those entering manufacturing] is just do it. Even if you don't know how, do it. Put your hand up, and ask for help if you need it, espe- cially if you can find a mentor … Ultimately, what I need is people who know how to ask questions." Merrill, at Auburn Manufactur- ing, agrees: "Take the risk. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there, even if you don't know the answers. No one has to know everything." Leonard echoes her employee, but adds: "You need to apply what you know when you start in manu- facturing, and you also have to be open about what you don't know. If you don't have a sense of curiosity, don't bother. Opportunity is not going to come and find you." She also suggests that newcom- ers network actively and participate in industry associations. Good advice for most young employees, but es- pecially important for female ones. "Getting involved is a way of gain- ing credibility in a field that doesn't always give you that," she says. Leonard and others are opti- mistic that more women will go into industries like theirs. "Look at me — I just enjoy mak- ing stuff," says Brodsky, who had owned and operate a marketing company before launching Sterling. "There are lots of places for women in manufacturing here in Maine." Leonard finds it "natural" that women work in fabric making, even high-tech fabric making like the kind performed at AMI. Perhaps that has to do with New England's roots in manufacturing. As far back as the early 1800s, at the start of the Industrial Revolution, girls and young women made up the majority of workers at textile mills in Lowell, Mass., and other nearby cities. "Women have always been part of apparel-making," says Reynolds. "Why shouldn't we also be lead- ing it?" n William Hall, a Mainebiz correspondent, can be reached at editorial@mainebiz.biz Want to know more? Whether you're ready for a new professional challenge in Maine's manufacturing field, hoping to begin your career there, or just curious to learn more about an economic sector employing over 50,000 Mainers and providing 9% of the gross state product, here are some online resources you may want to check out. Manufacturers Association of Maine: Good information about all things manufacturing, includ- ing industry networking events, career information and yearly analysis of Maine's manufactur- ing environment. mainemfg.com Women in Manufacturing: A national business networking organization for female manu- facturing professionals, with chapters in Massachusetts and Connecticut. womeninmanufacturing.org The Manufacturing Institute: This arm of the National Association of Manufacturers advocates for workforce development and coor- dinates the STEP Ahead Awards program, which recognizes the national achievements of women in manufacturing. themanufacturinginstitute.org Women's Business Center: The Women's Business Center offers advising, workshops and events for women in manufacturing and all types of business. The center is part of Coastal Enterprises Inc., a nonprofit business financing orga- nization based in Brunswick and serving rural Maine. ceimaine.org The Institute for Women's Policy Research: A think tank conduct- ing public policy research and analysis to improve the lives of women throughout the country. The institute maintains a bank of rich, state-specific data about gender, employment and eco- nomic opportunity. iwpr.org n women in Manufacturing » CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE P H O T O / J I M N E U G E R American Roots owners Whitney Reynolds and Ben Waxman have assembled a crew of 20 workers at their Westbrook clothing factory. Pictured with them are Anaam Jabbir, at far left, who is the union leader at the factory, and their son Arlo.

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