Aurora, IL – Gracie is a glazier, Olive an operator and Adeline an apprentice in a delightful new book aimed at younger readers, Girls Who Build, by Painters District Council 30’s Marisa L. Richards.
With two young girls, Richards was searching the bookstore aisle and online sites for a book that could introduce her daughters to the trades. Her search was fruitless, so she decided to write her own book.
Girls Who Build is an easily accessible, brightly illustrated book that shows diverse girls on the job, from an apprentice to all the various trades, hard at work with an inviting smile while they practice their crafts.
Richards said that she serves on multiple committees and the discussion is always on how to expand the construction trades’ diversity.
“Why don’t we start the conversation earlier?” she said. “We can show girls that they have the ability and teach them about construction. The need was so unmet in this space.”
Richards is a University of Illinois graduate in creative writing with a minor in gender and women’s studies. Since 2011, she has served as the outreach and engagement program manager for Painters District Council 30 in Aurora.
As the book reaches young readers, Marisa hopes that at the very minimum, the story can inspire just one girl to see the possibilities that she is capable of.
“I had many strong females in my life, and there were many strong females in the stories I was reading when I was young,” she said. “This book might have the ability to impact one girl like books impacted me. I wanted to show young girls what the construction trades were and help them see themselves in those careers.”
Just as a building trades worker is proud when a project is completed, Richards is enjoying the whirlwind with her book’s completion and the many positive comments.
Books may be ordered at https://mrichards.squarespace.com for $22 for a hard-cover edition, plus shipping.
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