Amy Peterson and Diana Russel of Rebel Nell

Amy Peterson and Diana Russel founded Rebel Nell with the desire to dig into their community. They work directly with local shelters and employ disadvantaged women in Detroit. While working at Rebel Nell, the women are strengthened with new skills and knowledge to help as they transition to an independent life.

The crew gets together and gathers chips of graffiti that have fallen off walls around the city. After taking the discarded bits through their top secret process, layers and layers of color and paint being to emerge in beautiful patterns. Then the pieces are turned into wearable art. You can shop the collection here.

Artistic skills aren’t the only thing being taught at Rebel Nell. There are also classes available on empowerment, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and a day to day support system. This self-sustaining social enterprise is a tight-knit group of women. It’s a family where creativity spurs on growth and friendships help establish a new way of life.

Meegan Czop of Rebuilding Exchage

I think there are a lot of women (myself included) who often feel as though they are without a voice; be it in the workplace, the construction site, on the range, in social media, or during everyday life. It can be infuriatingly overwhelming to stand against the dialogue that already dictates those venues and arenas: the ideas that men are better leaders, women can’t perform as well in tough, blue-collar jobs, or even that women are better suited to clerical tasks rather than being out on the field.

Women, let’s stick together and raise our voices simultaneously to create a new discussion. We are capable. We are strong. We can swing a hammer or wield a crowbar. We can be contractors and painters and cattle ranchers and mechanics and engineers. We can do whatever job we want. We can lead, and we can do it well. WE CAN.

That brings me to Meegan Czop and the folks at Rebuilding Exchange. Many women there fill roles that are typically considered a man’s job. Meegan spends time on the ground scavenging through demolition sites for materials that can be resold through the non-profit to the public for re-use. It’s a tough job and she’s often the only woman to step foot in the work zone.

I tagged along on a trip she made to a Chicago warehouse that was ruined by fire a few months ago. With a jump in her step, she explores areas that would make most people nervous. A job that requires an adventurous spirit requires a special person. Meegan is changing the dialogue of what women are capable of with the elbow grease she puts into every day, the hard work she does to preserve and better the community, and the way she defies stereotypes with confidence and competence.

Meegan is wearing: Carhartt Women’s Force Performance Verdon Polo & Series 1889 Slim-Fit Double Front Denim Dungaree

Karen Gage and Kelli Kavanaugh of Wheelhouse in Detroit

Karen Gage and Kelli Kavanaugh started Wheelhouse on Detroit’s historic river walk in 2008. Their goal was to reintroduce the charm and expediency of bike rentals in the area. With different tours around the city and neighborhoods, you get the chance to see some great parts of Detroit and exercise a bit. The women really care about their customers. They’ll even custom create a bike tour to fit your tastes. If you want to get in a good work out or just a leisurely ride that’s more about sight-seeing, Karen and Kelli have you covered. The next time you’re in Motor City, you have to check this place out. Karen and Kelli are lively, competent, and want to help you experience the beautiful side of Detroit.

check out what the women are wearing: Women’s Norfolk Henley, Women’s Stockbridge Sweatshirt, & Women’s Rockford Insulated Windbreaker / Longsleeve Signature T-Shirt, Women’s Annapolis Long-Sleeve Shirt, & Women’s Southold Jacket

Joan from Windy City Harvest

Joan is one skilled woman. She has a background in carpentry and currently teaches environmental literacy at Windy City Harvest in Chicago. WCH is a program sponsored by Chicago Botanical Garden to train adults in sustainable horticulture and urban agriculture. From building hoop houses to compost pens, Joan’s carpentry background plays well into her new position at the farm. It’s always cool to look back and see how your past paves the way for your future. Each skill you gain can only help you be a more dimensional person. Always keep learning and working.

Check Carhartt women’s clothes that can help you get the job done.

Carmella of City Farm in Chicago

Fresh fruits and veggies, right in the middle of the city! City Farm in Chicago takes land that isn’t being used and turns into a productive space. It’s all about sustainability, healthy living, and giving back to the community. This is Carmella, lover of the outdoors. She’s worked at City Farm for the past 3 seasons. Sun kissed skin is proof that working in the midst of nature is good for the body and soul. Carmella always finds a way to work outside, even in the dead of Chicago winters. That’s determination. When it comes down to it, we’d all rather be working in dirt that stuck in a cubicle. Who better to help you get the job done than Carhartt? Carmella is sporting Carhartt Force. A new line that is stain resistant, repels odor, and sweat wicking. It’s perfect for those summer days with your knees firmly planted in the mud while you harvest a beautiful batch of tomatoes.