|  |
|
“I can relate to the women shown in your catalog, and I appreciate that,” says Christi, on site with co-worker Nicole.
|
For these Real Women, being green is easy
It’s no surprise that Madison Environmental Group’s Madison, WI, office is full of recycled materials. Their business is helping “clients and communities build green and live green.” What’s surprising is how innovatively those materials are used: desks and countertops were made from old doors, cabinets once belonged to a hospital, wall paneling was flooring in a former life. Just the kind of resourcefulness we at Duluth really admire!
P. B. & J. with a purpose
When founder and president Sonya N. and her employees invited us to lunch, it was organic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on real dishes with cloth napkins (nothing goes to the landfill; they compost kitchen waste on site). Staffers ride bikes or walk to work. They don’t just consult on green practices – they live them. And they apply the same creativity that went into their office design to every job they do.
“Most Meaningful Workplace”
In ’07, a local magazine awarded Madison Environmental Group this honor, and the passionate staff proves it. They’ve converted some of the city’s biggest builders to their way of thinking: re-use what you can, recycle what you can’t, reduce waste. The company’s Web site reads, “We will work with you to benefit our world and your bottom line.” Go green, save green - and save our planet in the process. Not hard to find meaning in that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Genevieve finds her groove while
working on a new violin.
|
Genevieve’s work comes with strings attached
Genevieve, an apprentice violin maker in Gaithersburg, MD, has worked with a master luthier for the last three years to learn the craft of violin making and restoration. “She has a passion for perfection and does not let anything stand between her and helping others create beautiful music,” says her close friend and colleague, Alicia.
Though she graduated college with a degree in Sociology, Gen “fell in love with the string world” after being introduced to it by Alicia. (Gen also plays clarinet and saxophone, speaks Spanish and knows American Sign Language.)
“Violin making and restoration demands experience in music, adeptness in geometry, chemistry and acoustics, and a certain amount of creativity and resourcefulness to make all these elements come together,” says Gen. “Working every day in this dynamic profession, I have a greater appreciation for the hard work and ingenuity that go into dependable, high-quality products like those offered by Duluth Trading Co. In a male-dominated workforce, it’s refreshing to see a company willing to highlight and cater to kick-a*# women.
Thank you, Duluth!”
Now that’s music to our ears. Thanks for being a loyal customer and kick-you-know-what woman, Genevieve!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Now that’s a runway! The Pendleton ground crew model their Duluth winter boots.
|
The sky’s the limit for these Duluth Real Women
Lita T. works on an all-female crew at a small airline station in rural Oregon. She and seven other women run the entire operation, marshalling planes in and out, loading bags and cargo, and checking in passengers. They often work in extreme temperatures, from 107 degrees Fahrenheit in summer to -20 degrees in winter (good thing their Duluth clothing keeps them covered!). One of their greatest challenges? Braving frigid weather and howling, 40-mph winds while de-icing planes. After that task, Lita says, "we take off our gloves, put a smile on our frozen faces and check in customers at the ticket counter inside." Outside of work, Lita says the women of Horizon Air are a diverse group of farmers' wives, single moms, grandmothers, master gardeners and remodelers of all ages.
To Lita and crew, thanks for wearing our gear - and reminding us that some folks still live by the "friendly skies" motto.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raisin’ the roof for a cleaner environment!
|
Lise’s green roofing business is good for the planet!
“I am so happy to see your women’s catalog! I love your gear, but I am a woman and tired of wearing men’s work clothing. Then to my surprise, your catalog came in the door. Perfect. (By the way, I am thrilled with your CoolMax®/cotton Chambray Shirt.)
My husband and I have a small contracting business in Western Massachusetts and specialize in standing seam metal roofing. Yes, I am a woman roofer – with a graduate degree! It is a strange combination, I know, but I love it.
As a working mother, so often I feel that everything I do is undone…I clean up, more mess is made…you know the drill. With my job, we put on a high-quality, energy-efficient, sustainable, long-lasting, practically permanent roof! The paint on the metal is reflective, so it is cooler in the summer; our roofs are partially made from recycled steel and can be recycled; and the paint alone is guaranteed for 35+ years. Also, standing seam roofs, I think, are beautiful. So, I get to make the world more energy efficient, sustainable and beautiful every day. (Plus, I get quite a workout!)
It feels great to make a small difference, even if it is just one roof at a time!”
Thanks for sharing your story and being a loyal Duluth customer, Lise!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lindsay donated her time and skills to give kids a place to hang.
|
This Duluth Real Woman turned a disaster into a children’s wonderland!
"In September 2006, I took a week off work to help rebuild a park a few miles from my home, Booth Park in Birmingham, MI. The park had been thoroughly trashed by a sewer improvement project some ten years before, and since the city had no immediate plans to fix it up, the various neighborhood associations nearest the park got together to raise money for improvements – which grew into a new play structure, new landscaping, new nature trails, new everything! In addition to raising money and in-kind donations at local community events, I volunteered as a 'construction captain' – one of the dozen skilled workers who directed the efforts of the other 700-plus construction volunteers during the six-day working phase of the project.
Although my 'day job' usually sees me in front of a keyboard (I’m self-employed as a healthcare information services consultant), I do a great deal of home improvement of both the indoor and outdoor varieties, and I have been a highly satisfied Duluth customer since purchasing a pair of Fire Hose pants a year ago. Those, along with my DT jeans, work gloves and puncture-proof boot soles, stood me in great stead through six days of routering, sawing, nailing, bolting and painting.
It’s great to see the joy on the kids’ faces and know that so many people in the community had a hand in making it possible.
Thanks for making such great, hard-working gear!"
Hey Lindsay – we’re proud that you’re wearing our stuff when you're making a difference in the world!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
