Emily Pilloton-Lam, our fearless founder, spoke at TEDWomen about putting power and power tools into the hands of young women and gender-expansive youth. In her talk, she dreams of inclusive construction sites and dares to ask: What if women built the world they want to see? (Plus, she dazzles with a live demo of her own woodworking skills ... while giving the talk!)
“If this place has taught me anything, it’s to be resilient and to be fearless. So I look forward to the next project. I look forward to the next commitment. I look forward to the next build. I look forward to being fearless.”
— Nautica, 15 years old
“Girls Garage is a place of transformation. As I learned about power tools, I built a house, practiced leadership skills, and learned how to fear less and build more.”
— Ellah, 13 years old
“When I'm here, I do all the things people tell me I can't.”
— Solyana, 15 years old
“I loved being able to help the community and form bonds with other girls and non binary people. It was so nice to have a space where everyone listened to each other and genuinely wanted to understand one another. ”
— Vivian, 17 years old
participating girls since 2013
projects completed since 2013
teen girls attending at no cost
Girls Garage is your can-do compendium of all things tools and building! Packed with over 175 illustrated tool guides, 11 how-to projects, 21 essential skills, and 15 profiles of awesome builder girls and women, Girls Garage will inspire you to fill up your toolbox and get building.
"I wrote this book as an invitation for girls to put on their tool belts and build the world they want to see. And I mean that quite literally: I want girls, who have big dreams, goals, and ideas, to have zero barriers to access the tools they need to be successful. That tool might be a hammer, a little extra confidence to try something new, or the ability to see yourself in the world of STEM."
— Emily Pilloton, Founder of Girls Garage