The sense of belonging the women in the Great Falls College welding program have built in the shop—where they’re pushed, supported and treated as equals—was unmistakable when four of them stepped into the inaugural Hard Hats and Heels celebration earlier this spring.
First-year welding students Meg Giddings, Isabella “Izzy” Houge, Makayla Bishop and Ciara Ridesatthedoor attended the Montana chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction‘s event and heard a powerful message about the power of having someone believe in you.
Quincie Jones, executive director of Career and Technical Education at Great Falls College, gave the keynote address where she urged those in attendance to be an encourager, a mentor and an ally in a talk titled: The Power of One.
Jones described a familiar moment: a high school student at a career fair or shop tour, unsure of her place until someone simply asks, “Have you ever thought about working in construction?” When she hesitates—“I couldn’t do that”—the encourager responds, “You could learn. I’ll show you.”
Years later, that student has a career, a reliable paycheck and a confidence she once lacked. She also can point to things she helped build.
For Houge, that story wasn’t hypothetical. She discovered welding as a high school sophomore during Worlds of Work, a hands‑on career exploration event hosted at Great Falls College and the University of Providence each fall.
“I welded for the very first time there,” she said. “I always knew I liked hands‑on work. I love this so much. I just want to do this for the rest of my life.”
She enrolled in dual‑enrollment welding courses this year to chase that spark and will graduate from Great Falls College with a certificate in applied science a few weeks before she graduates high school from Paris Gibson Education Center. She will complete her associate of applied science next year.
Jones reminded attendees that people rarely leave careers because they can’t learn the skills—they leave because they don’t feel they belong. Her message to the room was clear: every person has the power to create belonging for someone else.
A program built on support, not pressure
For Giddings, the environment inside the welding shop has been foundational.
“It’s been really valuable to me to have the opportunity to learn and practice in an educational environment with less pressure and more support,” she said. “I think this mutual support is critical to recruiting and sustaining women in the trades.”
Houge, one of six women in her cohort, said she was nervous about entering a male‑dominated field but found something different at Great Falls College.
“There’s no discrimination,” she said. “’(They don’t) treat any of us differently than the guys.”
Instructors check in on her work, offer help when needed and hold her to the same expectations as every other student. Her classmates do the same.
“The guys tease me, but I tease them back,” she said.
Bishop said she hopes more women will follow their lead.
“I think that more women should come apply and be part of the program,” she said. “Women will feel more accepted in this sort of trade and be comfortable to give it a shot.”
Ridesatthedoor added that the program has helped her push past the challenges she’s faced in the workforce.
“Trying to be seen as an equal—have a little respect,” she said. “Having to prove I can do what they can do.”
Together, the four students wrote about their experiences in the welding program and how it has given them the confidence to step into industry workplaces knowing they belong.
“The welding program at Great Falls College has supported us by fostering an environment where we can focus entirely on building our skills rather than on being a minority in the trades. Our instructors have established a level playing field, holding every student to the same high standards of work ethic and mutual respect, allowing us to learn without feeling we have to ‘prove ourselves’ more than the male students in our class. On top of that, the program and Great Falls College as a whole has supported our value as women in the welding field, recognizing us as ‘workhorses of the week’ and ‘student of the year,’ helping build our confidence as skilled welders and making us feel as capable and deserving of being in this field as anyone else.”
A statewide celebration with local impact
Darla Deck, president of the Montana chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction, said in the organization’s newsletter the event was designed to bring together professionals from construction, engineering, education and allied industries to celebrate and strengthen the future of women in the trades.
She noted that the evening was elevated by Jones’ keynote and the panel she led, which highlighted real‑world career pathways, workforce challenges, leadership development and the importance of mentorship.
The event also raised more than $18,000 to support pathways that get women into the trades.
Deck said the event was a reminder of why supporting women in construction matters—and how much impact is made when industry leaders stand together.
Building the next generation—one welder at a time
For the four Great Falls College welding students, Hard Hats and Heels wasn’t just an event. It was a glimpse of the future they’re stepping into and the community that stands behind them.
They left with the same message Jones delivered from the stage: one person can make a difference. And in the welding shop at Great Falls College, they’ve already found several.