“Women who Woodwork” or WWW, is admittedly a mouthful to say so we are also known as the “Tri-dubs“. Despite the fact that we sound like a sorority, it is easier to say.
Thinking back, there were a couple of influences that got us started.
Before the shop opened, there was a meeting for people who had expressed an interest in volunteering to be shift supervisors. There were three women present. Afterwards, Gary Anderson pulled a couple of the women aside and asked “How can we get more women involved?” The shop has been tremendously supportive of WWW at every turn ever since.
At the donor's sneak preview tour of the shop before it opened 5 years ago, Sharon Sykora happened to be standing in front of two other women, Marty Blake-Jacobson and Rita Hanscom. While eavesdropping on their conversation, Sharon heard one of them say to the other “So where is the women's group?” Sharon turned around and said “When you find one, count me in.” So that was it. WWW was launched and had three members. Is three members enough to constitute a SIG? Perhaps a few more members might be better.
In the beginning, we were beating the bushes for new members. By the end of the first year, there were about 40 members. After 5 years, there are 103 members! Admittedly most of those members don't participate in our activities, but they want to be kept up on what we are doing just the same. Our goal is to extend a helping – and welcoming – hand to all women interested in woodworking.
And that brings us to…What are we doing?
Well, whatever our members suggest that we do! If there's an event that you want to suggest, write to all of us at womenwhowoodwork@gmail.com.
In the past we have:
- Met for dinner before the SDFWA meetings
- Toured the Hubbell House near Julian
- Attended the Escondido Furniture Show
- Went to Solobee, where we learned about this-women owned business that makes shelters for solitary bees
- Participated in the Habitat for Humanity Woman Build
- Had small group workshops to work on a communal project, like the shop First Aid Cabinet and our contribution to the Holiday Gift Sale
- Attended Liberty Station First Friday and the SD Craft Collective
- Toured the Maloof House
- Met to work on make-and-take type projects, like trivets, Christmas trees, and picture stands.
If you’d like to find out more about WWW, send us an email
at womenwhowoodwork@gmail.com.
