A few weeks ago, I had the honor of photographing one of the coolest events to date. This was my second time photographing the event, and each year it just seems to get better and better.
What you may not know about me is that my full time job is as a marketing specialist at a financial broker-dealer. Depending on which website you check, women financial advisors are slim pickings... between 16% and 26% of the entire industry. My company has been working hard to promote women in finance and I have amazing role models to look up to within the industry. But, like women in finance- construction, engineering, design and building trades also lack female professionals (which ranges right around 9% per marketplace.org).
That is where The Build Initiative and Grit & Glamour come in. The Build Initiative an organization that was designed to facilitate success and exposure for women in the construction, engineering, design and building trades. The Grit & Glamour event helps with their cause. Each year, The Build Initiative puts on a fashion show fundraiser- and it does not disappoint.
This year's Grit & Glamour show started with a VIP cocktail hour at Crofoot in Pontiac. Crofoot is a beautiful venue with a bar in the front, a stage in the back, and gorgeous decor both upstairs and down. Supporters of the initiative mingled and enjoyed beverages until it was time for heavy appetizers and the show.
As guests arrived, the models started getting ready for their big debut. Downstairs at the venue, dozens of models from the construction, engineering, design and building trades grabbed their Carhartt gear and lined up for their time on the stage.
The crowd was not disappointed. As the models (both men and women
supporters of the cause) took the stage, there was no shortage on sassy faces, impressive strutting, a little dancing, and maybe... just maybe... a little booty shaking.
While the event was happening, so was the fundraising. A silent auction was going strong to raise more money for the cause.
By the end of the night- everyone was laughing and smiling and having an amazing time. The DJ kept the music playing well after the fashion show and the party didn't stop.
I can honestly say that it was my privileged to work with these ladies. It seems like promoting women in professions that are heavily occupied by men is in all aspects of my life, and I love it! The more information that we can get out to the younger generation about these amazing women pushing the industry forward, the more the younger generation can see that we can do more than administrative work within these industries. Role models in these industries are gradually increasing, and thanks to organizations like The Build Initiative, exposure of these role models will be more apparent in years to come. For that, I thank you.
For the full gallery, visit: https://beckysteffensphotography.pixieset.com/gritandglam2/
