Breaking Down Barriers In STEM Fields: Woodwork

Breaking down barriers across the STEM field is a constant battle for women and non-binary individuals. Woodwork is one of those fields.

As of 2020, only 3.1% of carpenters were women, making it a vastly male-dominated profession. However, an innovative take on carpentry and a passion for challenging gender stereotypes may be what is needed to open doors for new voices in the field.

Using STEM Creatively

STEM fields are so expansive and integrated into everyday life, that you may not realize you’re interested in pursuing a STEM career. Even skills like writing, design, and art can play a big role in STEM professions. For Morgan Meyer and other woodworkers, their work is (literally) built on engineering and math skills.

“Using math and dimensions is a daily thing that I have to do for my work,” Meyer explains. “Making new designs and engineering that process [is another STEM-related part of the work]. I’ll have the idea in my head, but actually going out and creating it is a whole other process.”

Meyer started her business, Wood Art Woman in 2020, first in Minnesota and now based in Utah. While she’s always loved building and channeling her creativity, her passion for wood art is rooted in her desire to put a stop to gender bias in STEM. “As soon as I walked in to [a tools shop], this man approaches me and he hands me their catalog and he said, ‘Why don’t you take this catalog home to your boyfriend [or] your husband and he’ll show you what tools to get,’” Meyer shares, as she reflects on how her journey in wood art started. “I [responded], ‘Why, because only men can use tools?’”

After an eye-opening first experience exploring the field, Meyer was even more determined to excel at woodworking and bring a new voice to the field. “That was the moment [when] I knew I wanted to learn this craft, own it, and then start Wood Art Woman from it,” she accentuates.

Meyer also explained how math is surprisingly not her strong suit, as she is drawn to the work for its creative side. However, woodworking has given her the opportunity to develop her math skills to elevate the work she is passionate about. Her work highlights the flexibility in STEM professions and how sometimes, STEM can be a great way to use existing skills in new ways, as well as expand on skill sets.

Woodworking and Carpentry are Male-Dominated

While some STEM fields like reproductive healthcare have become more gender diverse over the years, others continue to perpetuate toxic masculinity and patriarchy. Because carpentry is so heavily male-dominated, Meyer makes it a point to address these disparities through her business.

“Being an only in the room really plays an important role in challenging that gender bias,” Meyer voices. She reflects on her experiences with engineering and feeling like an outsider to the field as early as high school. “I didn’t elect to take woodworking because I knew that there was this barrier of intimidation entering that room [and in] being the only woman in that room.”

While Meyer has continued to experience gender barriers as a professional, she recognizes and appreciates the community that she’s found from sharing her story. “I hear a lot of other people’s stories because I’m very vocal about my story, because that’s why I started woodworking,” she explains. “It’s just wild how common these situations are but we should break those down and really just challenge them.”

Disrupting Gender Norms

Through connection and community, Meyer’s bold presence in the woodworking field has not only been a way for her to disrupt gender norms in the field, but also to reach other women and minorities who have experienced barriers in their careers. Desiree Phillips, owner of The grAttitude Shop, is one woman who has been drawn to Wood Art Woman and its values.

The grAttitude Shop isn’t like any other business. While Phillips leads and manages the shop, she isn’t a creator. Instead, the shop serves as a platform to uplift small businesses and host their products, as another avenue for consumers to buy unique goods and support those businesses. The businesses hosted in The grAttitude Shop are primarily owned by women and non-binary people, which has allowed Phillips to find her own community of do-gooders. A Wood Art Woman regular herself, Phillips resonates deeply with Meyer’s mission to end gender disparities and protect the environment.

First connected through social media, Phillips connected with Meyer when they were both living in Minnesota. “I can’t say enough good stuff. I enjoy all of her [art] and I got my husband hooked on it [too],” she laughs. She adds that she is drawn to Meyer and Wood Art Woman because of their mutual involvement in the small business community and interest in doing good. “We kind of cheerlead each other on the side.”

Phillips currently owns four Wood Art Woman pieces that are displayed throughout her home. While she loves the art, she is also appreciative of Meyer’s commitment to environmental sustainability and breaking down gender barriers. “There are so many skilled artists, crafters, [and] creators out there...but I go back to [how] our values align,” Phillips expresses.

As she points to one of the wood art pieces in her home, Phillips explains that Wood Art Woman is about more than the art. “Every time I see this beautiful piece of art, I love how it looks anyway, but I also feel good about having it in my home because I know it is helping make a difference and Morgan is bringing that to life.”

Along with fighting gender inequities, Meyer is intentional about creating art that is sustainable and good for the planet. The wood used in Meyer’s art is reused, being sourced from homes being torn down, old barns, and other sources that would typically lead to disposing wood in landfills. The choice to repurpose wood into art may have a bigger impact than you think, given that wood makes up over 8% of landfill waste, as of 2018.

While reusing wood has a positive impact on the environment, it can also be a way for Meyer to add a historical touch to her art. By reusing wood, Meyer’s art can even help some families preserve memories. “Recently, I had a customer who gave me some of the barn wood from her grandpa’s barn, who passed away,” Meyer reflects. “She took that wood into my shop and I was able to create a couple of wood art pieces for them. Just to have that little family history and story behind it was really cool.”

While Meyer’s art is undoubtedly edgy and beautiful, Wood Art Woman is about much more beyond her art. From using reclaimed wood, to breaking down barriers, to storytelling, Meyer is changing the makeup and meaning of the woodworking industry.

Meyer’s values and efforts are a main reason why Phillips is drawn to Wood Art Woman as a customer. She recognizes not only the importance of businesses taking a stand, but also of being a conscious consumer.

“As a consumer, I try to be intentional about my purchases…I’m specifically going to Wood Art Woman because she’s doing things that align with my values, which are also reflected in my business,” she shares. “When you put your money where your mouth is and you’re selective about what you purchase, and from whom, and why, I think you can effectively create the change that you’re seeking.”

Engineering is the most male-dominated STEM field, with only 13% made up by women. Especially in fields like these where women are underrepresented, role models are important for young women wanting to follow this career path. “Once you find that other woman that was able to break down that barrier, it’s pretty powerful,” Meyer voices. “It’s just really powerful to share interests and talk about how we create and build and cultivate.”

She adds that gender bias starts at a young age and seeing women conquer gender inequalities can empower and encourage young girls to follow their interests, even if they have traditionally been labeled as masculine roles. “When The Hunger Games came out and we saw Katniss with the archery and just seeing…a woman using a bow and arrow, the stats that year of women who signed up for archery just skyrocketed,” Meyer states, as an example of how impactful role models can be.

She’s right: The year after The Hunger Games was released, women’s participation in archery grew by 105%. “It’s really just empowering the people that are…overcoming those barriers and exposing others to it,” Meyer emphasizes.

Gender shouldn’t determine your interests and which jobs you seek. There are still gender stereotypes and inequities in some fields. However, challenging barriers and entering a field you’re passionate about can be fulfilling and empower future change, according to Meyer. “[Claim] your seat [and] give yourself a chance,” she articulates. “Follow your heart and don’t close yourself off from opportunities because you don’t look like the other people in the room.”

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Hailey Dickinson (she/her) is a creator passionate about using writing and digital platforms to build community, make connections, and ignite positive social change. She is a Communications Major with a social media emphasis at the University of Minnesota and will graduate in December 2023.