Women Building California Conference 2010
Organized Labor
Hannah Sarvasy, Yumayra Ortiz, and Elizabeth Zaza-Gonzalez, California Conservation Corps
Hannah
We offer a job training program for youth 18 to 24. The Corps is one of the main channels for women to become park rangers or to get jobs in forestry. There are a lot of women in high positions in the Conservation Corps.
Yumayra
We get to build trails in the state parks. It's fun. I like doing hard work and getting dirty. I'm the only girl in my crew, but the guys are supportive, even though we don't always click. I'm looking forward to learning how to use a chain saw.
Elizabeth
I joined the program to get a scholarship to do veterinarian work as a career, but I'm open minded, and forestry or carpentry might be an option. It's hard work, but at the end of the day you look back at what you've done and it's like a masterpiece. People are going to be walking on the trails you created and really appreciate it.