Fear Less. Build More.

Announcement

To Remake the World, Give Girls All the (Power) Tools

In an op-ed published by Fast Company, Emily Pilloton writes about how to equip girls in order to build power and voice and to change the authorship of our physical world. The article begins with a description of Emily’s personal path to building, before expanding to the state of trades, construction, and STEM, and onto a case for how learning to build can fundamentally alter our lives forever. Bolstered by accounts from teen participants in Girls Garage programs, a carpenter/educator, and an architecture and design writer, Emily shows how to give girls the literal, mental, and spiritual tools they need to build a better world.

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Girls Garage is a nonprofit design and building program and dedicated workspace for girls ages 9-18. Through classes in carpentry, welding, architecture, and activist art, we support and equip a community of fearless girls who are building the world they want to see. Established 2013.

Speak up. Stand out. Make trouble. Build the world you want to see.

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Testimonials & Impact

“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

“I am personally working towards establishing myself as a visual artist. And even somewhere as liberal and diverse as the Bay Area, there is always that feeling... That feeling that because you are a woman, and especially a young one, that what you are doing is lesser; less informed, less talented, less valuable. But when I’m at Girls Garage, and the reason I have stuck around so long and plan to as long as I can is that I truly feel the exact opposite. The space radiates with support, appreciation, and empathy; helping me further my work and connect with others.”

— Innua, 17 years old

“The experience was so amazing for me because I got to show my work to school kids, teachers, and parents that use the classrooms and school space. I am so grateful that I got the experience to create a powerful symbol of hope and interconnectedness. I don’t think I could have gotten the same experience anywhere else, creating powerful artwork alongside girls my age, artwork with a social justice purpose.”

— Keiani

“Being in an all-girls space has been a beautiful experience. I will never forget all the support given to me through this program, and all the memories will forever live on in my heart. I got to connect with so many girls and women who have the power to do whatever they put their minds to, and it’s truly been inspirational. I loved being able to connect with so many other girls from different backgrounds, and I’ve created unbreakable bonds. I came into Girls Garage not knowing anyone and came out with sisters.”

— Ameera
424

participating girls since 2013

133

projects completed since 2013

100%

teen girls attending at no cost

Get the Girls Garage Book!

Girls Garage: How To Use Any Tool, Tackle Any Project, and Build The World You Want To See

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.

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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