shop girls

Shop girls is a program that empowers Ajo women and girls through carpentry tool mastery and project creation in a positive, instructive, non critical environment that fosters success.

Shop Girls was modeled on the "Girls with Tools" program developed by the Zuni Avenue Peace Center in Tucson.

For two years, ISDA provided free, eight-week courses for women and girls in carpentry tools skill development. Learning how to use tools such as jigsaws, power drills and sanders through instruction by a highly experienced local female carpenter, these women and girls created wooden tables, benches, lamps, tool boxes, decorative accessories, etc. while honing their safety, math, project organization, collaboration and leadership skills. In addition, as their tool mastery developed, they learned alternative tool uses as they apply to home maintenance.

Not only were our women and girls empowered by project success and the enthusiastic camaraderie of an all female environment, some also began to think entrepreneurially about personally created product as an opportunity for income. Because of this, ISDA has brought business classes to Ajo from the Micro Business Advancement Center in Tucson to assist women to make the leap from skills development to economic opportunity.

Funding for Shop Girls was provided by the Women's Foundation of Southern Arizona. ISDA is searching for new funding.