Women Who Weld︱Marcelina Ortiz

Welcome to Season 3 of Middletown Strong: Looking Up with Russell Library! We are thrilled to kick off our new season during Women's History Month. Our guest today, Marcelina Ortiz, is an inspiration to anyone who has ever been told they couldn't do something. In 1977, Marcelina made the decision to train as a welder as a means of supporting her four young children. She never anticipated it taking 7 years to land a job in her chosen field. Marcelina's story reminds us that determination and perseverance can bring you to places you never imagined. She may have started her career being mocked by her peers, but Marcelina ultimately became a highly-respected, award-winning professional. Thank you, Marcelina, for sharing your story  and thank you all for listening!

Book Recommendations

Stitchin' and Pullin' a Gees Bend Quilt by Pat McKissack
https://artsandculture.google.com/story/gee-39-s-bend-work-clothes-quilts-souls-grown-deep-foundation/qAWhldzBANgbzg?hl=en
I'm Glad my Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy.
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
West With the Night by Beryl Markham

This podcast uses music by Ashutosh, under a creative commons license:
Time by ASHUTOSH | https://soundcloud.com/grandakt
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US