Our Mission

Since 1979, Hard Hatted Women (HHW) has engaged industry and community leaders to match women who need lifelong careers with employers who need a qualified, skilled workforce. Our work engages women and girls in critical STEM pathways (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) that strengthen the economic competitiveness of communities and the financial security of families.

Growing numbers of employers recognize women as an untapped talent pool and turn to HHW for solutions. HHW crafts customized strategies to meet industry demand. By harnessing the collective power of volunteers, business and educational partners, HHW provides women and girls a full range of career options, networks of support, and the confidence and skills to succeed.

Hard Hatted Women is a non-profit organization with over thirty years of experience empowering women to achieve economic independence by creating workplace diversity in trade and technical fields.  With a focus on education, training, networking and policy initiatives, HHW works to create systemic change through community, state, and regional channels.  Our projects, programs, services, and initiatives are all influenced by the belief that economically independent women mean self-sufficient families.

Key components of Hard Hatted Women’s business model includes:   1. Building a national database of qualified women candidates and mentors. 2.  Expanding HHW work with business clients and educational partners who recognize the benefits of a diverse talent pool and who embrace a 21st century workforce.  3. Engaging girls at a critical time – middle school – and keeping them engaged through high school and beyond to build and maintain a talent pipeline.

HHW meets the needs of:   1. EMPLOYERS seeking to attract and retain qualified workers. HHW crafts customized strategies to meet industry demand, and convenes partners who play a vital role in the attraction and retention of female talent.   2. EDUCATORS seeking high program completion rates aligned with employment opportunity. HHW supports women along the entire career pathway, including identifying and completing needed technical training. HHW partners with community colleges and career and technical centers to collaborate on curriculum, assessment, and career counseling.   3. WOMEN AND GIRLS seeking careers that provide long-term economic security.