Voice From The Field: Samantha Downey
What is your name and occupation? My name is Samantha Downey, and I’m an apprentice bricklayer. What were you doing before you became a bricklayer? I had a few factory jobs, but there was a period of about three years when I wasn’t working—right before my daughter was born and for some time after. How […]
West Virginia Women Work Selected for GitLab Foundation’s Powering Economic Opportunity Fund
West Virginia Women Work (WVWW) is proud to announce its selection as one of ten organizations nationwide awarded funding through the GitLab Foundation’s inaugural Powering Economic Opportunity Fund. This national initiative supports nonprofits helping low-wage workers access quality, future-ready careers in fields such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and the skilled trades. The funding will […]
Building Confidence on the Job: How Training Builds More Than Skills
Confidence is one of the most valuable skills a person can bring to any workplace. It influences how we communicate, solve problems, and show up for the job each day. At West Virginia Women Work, training is about more than learning tools and techniques. It is about helping people believe in their abilities and see […]
How Apprenticeships Build Careers Without Breaking the Bank
For many people, the idea of earning a living while training for a new career sounds too good to be true. But that’s exactly what apprenticeships offer: real wages, hands-on learning, and a direct path to stable work. Across West Virginia, skilled trades like electrical, plumbing, and HVAC are in high demand, and apprenticeship programs […]
Beyond the Tools: Life Skills That Build Careers
In construction and the skilled trades, knowing how to use a saw or operate a forklift is only part of the job. The workers who thrive are those who can set goals, manage their money, communicate with a crew, and overcome challenges both on and off the jobsite. At West Virginia Women Work (WVWW), we […]
Voice From The Field: Nikki Hollen
What is your name and occupation? My name is Nikki Hollen, and I work on the production floor at Corhart, which is a glass refractory. What were you doing before your career with Corhart? I was a retail manager. I have a business degree, but unfortunately, I wasn’t in the right place in my life […]
Voice From The Field: Water Treatment Plant Operator
Can you share what led you to choose a career in water treatment? I had a friend who got a job with my town’s water treatment plant, and he encouraged me to apply there when another position became available. He was friends with the boss who ran the water plant, and he let the boss […]
Voice From The Field: Sensei Stacy Fouse
What is your name and occupation? I am Sensei Stacy Fouse, and I teach martial arts at The OHANA Self-Defense Institute. I teach the Kinder Warriors program—which are the three to six year olds—as well as karate. The dojo teaches traditional martial arts and takes pride in being family oriented. What were you doing before […]
Voice From The Field: Ashlee Edwards
What is your name and occupation? My name is Ashlee Edwards, and I am a Digital Strategist working in news. What education and career path led you to become a Digital Strategist? To start, I had no intention of working in news. I went to school at the International Academy of Design and Technology in […]
Voice From The Field: Noelle Linda Kolb
What is your name and occupation? Noelle Linda Kolb. I am the owner of Assumption Records in Rivesville, WV. Can you tell me about the personal journey that led to owning a record store? I started my professional life as a pharmacy tech. That was my job for many years until our daughter Windy was […]