Gene Yahvah died in Libby, Montana on May 23, 2023, his ninety-seventh birthday. He was a legend among Montana foresters
The citizens of our country - those who own our federal forests - paid my salary for 38 years. I
One of my best friends has known Randy Moore for decades. To my pleasant surprise, they are alike in ways
Consider the skill set you can master working in a mill - and then consider how that skill set can transfer to an administrative position in health care. You would have a working understanding of systems, chain of command, pride in mastery and hard work, a respect for authority, an understanding of safety measures and protocol, the judgement to speak up, the joy of a challenge.
Consider who you would rather work with in a health care setting: an individual with limited life experience, or an individual who is willing to do any job you put in front of them. If you were a patient, whom would you prefer was in charge?
One of the first things I noticed when we toured the mill at Devil's Tower Forest Products was Halle, or perhaps the wake of Halle.
Halle is a boss - and she is everywhere. With her red braid and commanding posture she is hard to miss in the cab of her forklift. This gal owns the yard – a well-orchestrated whirling dervish. She clearly knows what she is doing and loves her job.
Halle stacks lumber loads with her forklift a bit like a seamstress constructs a garment. She has mad skills when it comes to concentration, and visual estimation; and she thrives on the mental and physical challenge of her job.
Watching Halle work was most satisfying. To see a young woman handling that forklift like a Maserati brought me an immense amount of joy and pride - the active embodiment of women doing whatever they set their minds to accomplish.
This gal is a second-generation mill employee – her Dad being the first. What she earns every summer goes toward her college tuition. She is pursuing a degree in Health Care Administration. I suspect she will make a fine leader.
Halle’s advice to young women? Flashing her signature smile, she says, “Everyone should do this once, try it.”
Author’s Note: I am looking for more women to interview who work in trade and non-traditional roles. If you or someone you know would like to talk with me you can contact me at julia@evergreenmagazine.com – Attention: Women’s Work.
All photos – copyright Julia Petersen, 2019
The west is burning again - still. The air in most of Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, and South
There is a "can-do" spirit in the Black Hills. You feel everywhere, but it resides most deeply in
Tanya Tanya is a planer operator – surfacing and smoothing rough lumber. She also works the resaw - a system for
Jennifer Jennifer runs the bander, securing stacks of lumber with metal bands. The stacks must be even and bound tight.
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