Danielle Crawford laughs about the time when she walked into a welder’s supply store with a male friend to purchase a welder’s hood.
“The salesman automatically made his pitch to my male friend,” laughs Crawford. “He soon became very apologetic when I put the helmet on my head and said it was for me. I guess the fact that I had my two babies in tow didn’t fi t the mould either.”

But not fitting the mould seems to be an underlying theme in this 21-year-old’s life. At 5’8” and a size 2, Crawford is also a mother of two and a woman with a promising modeling future.

After an audition in Saskatoon, she was invited by Charles Stuart, agent for world-class top model Coco Rocha, to compete in the Faces West International modeling competition this November in Vancouver.

“The competition is Nov. 12 to 15 so I will still be able to complete my welding program in December and write the firstyear apprenticeship exam,” says Crawford.

Crawford says she understands why many people appear shocked when they learn that one of her goals is to be a journeyman or “journeywoman” welder. Despite the fact that in recent years more women are entering trades careers, they are still in the minority and stereotypes remain.

Her introduction to welding as a Grade 11 student in high school is a case in point. “Welding was the only other option offered in the timetable opposite to Home Ec. I tried, was good at it, and I liked it,” says Crawford. “I was told, though, that I would never make it as a welder but that just made me more determined.”

Currently, she is the only female student in the college’s pre-employment welding program and is just one of a few female students this semester taking trades training at the Vermilion campus. But with marks in the 90+ per cent range, her ability and competence have been firmly established among her peers.

“Being a woman in a trade program does bring a lot of attention,” says Crawford. “In the beginning, some of the male students would come over to my station to offer me help but it soon became apparent that I didn’t need it. Now I’m just one of the guys.”

One of the guys, that is, with a lot of unique opportunities and heavy responsibilities on her plate. “I have a lot on the go right now but my family and friends are helping me a lot with my children so that I can complete my education and pursue my dreams.”

Crawford is originally from Shellbrook, Sask., and is the oldest in a family of seven children.