Cob: "women only" workshops

[Kit Maloney]

{background: In response to a question from Heather in
Kansas about any cob courses going on in her area, I
mentioned one being offered by Groundworks that is
designated "women only."}

--- Kyle Towers <ktowers at locl.net> wrote:
>     Why only women?  How would a men-only natural
> building workshop go over?
> Am I missing something here?

I'm only reporting what the brochure says, Kyle. 

As a topic of conversation, though...I believe that
the "women only" concept derives from an apparent need
to allow women a chance to excel in a field that is
typically male dominated. (I'm referring to the
building trade in general.) In a related experience, I
have worked trail crews with a mix of men/women as
well as with just women. In the former, the men were
more likely to man the axes (no pun intended) while
the women folk sufficed with clearing away the brush.
It wasn't planned that way -- the men weren't bullies
or even chauvinists -- the women just defaulted to the
men where tools were involved.  Now contrast that to
the all women crew. Axe-wielding women learned
confidence for a skill that they might never have
picked up had they not had a safe environment where
they were encouraged to try something new.

As for me, I'm looking forward to taking an upcoming
"Women & Wood" course being offered by Cobworks. The
reason? I just want some quality time with some
tools...** 

;) Kit.

**Perhaps ironically, the instructor recently emailed
each of the participants to say that a man has
expressed interest in joining the course if no one
objected. As far as I know, no one has.)

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