Tanya was the first female mechanic to work at the Woodside, Queens Black and Decker office back in the ’80s. She wanted to find more work in carpentry and construction but couldn’t get hired — she suffered harassment and other setbacks due to her gender. She notes it’s now more common for women to be employed in “men’s” trades. Taking her mother’s advice, her approach to work was: “Fear nothing on two legs.”

music: “Friendship Station” by Le Tigre