Building a Community by Building a Car
Last week, Girl Gang Garage hosted the first build for Women for Change, a partnership between DriveTime, Girl Gang Garage and Maggie’s Place. DriveTime women from across the country were nominated by their leaders and flown in to take part in a transformative project that showcased not only their skills but their true passion for the automotive industry.
This event wasn’t just about building a car; it was about building a community and paving the way for future generations of women in the field.
Creating Spaces for Women in Trades
Bogi Lateiner, an automotive industry advocate and the founder of Girl Gang Garage, played a pivotal role in this initiative. Known for her expertise as a dealer-trained BMW technician, Bogi’s involvement was fueled by her mission to make the automotive world more inclusive.
“I came up in a time when women were not welcome and where the road was a little bit steeper and the challenges were greater, and they still exist,” Bogi said. “I’m just trying to make it a little easier for those that come behind me, encourage more women into these fields, and create more space for them.”
She continued, “We could do all the work in the world to attract women to the trades, but if we don’t create spaces so that we retain them, so that they want to stay in the trades, then it’s pointless, right? So, there’s a cultural shift that needs to happen.”
Women Making Waves
The project brought together an incredible group of DriveTime women from across the country, each with their unique backgrounds and stories:
Ashley Howze, a team lead of quality control, logistics, and coordinators at the Charlotte location, joined the build with a background rich in diverse experiences. After serving in the Army, Ashley transitioned to a civilian career at a DriveTime dealership, before moving into law enforcement. Then, after connecting with an operations manager she knew from her retail days, Ashley was offered a job at the Charlotte Reconditioning Center. “I think it’s empowering to have a group of women doing this,” Ashley said. “Women can do anything that we put our mind to.”
Kaitlin Hensley, a tech at the Stockbridge RC, made a career change from a path in cosmetology to automotive technology. Her journey began with helping her dad with car repairs, leading her to a role at DriveTime where she trained on the job. “I started in detailing, and now I’m finally a tech and it’s so awesome,” Kaitlin said. “At my RC, there’s only one other tech in mitigation that’s a female. So, there is no female camaraderie in my facility. It’s not common to come around female techs anyway.” Kaitlin appreciated the chance to connect with other women in the industry, saying, “We all have such different backgrounds and different stories, but we also have a lot in common. We all had an interest in cars, struggled to get in the industry and finally got a break. It’s cool to hear how different people are in their different journeys.””
Shakira May, a team lead transitioning to a general operations leader at the Charlotte RC, has been with DriveTime for six years. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “I took a leap of faith. I had no detail experience, but I wanted to try. Luckily, DriveTime saw the potential early on and created a whole lot of opportunities for me.” Shakira was also involved in the Iron Maven all-female build showcased at the SEMA Car Show in Las Vegas. “Meeting new women that are involved in mechanics has been my favorite part of this experience,” Shakira said. “At my location, we don’t have any female techs at all. So, coming here and seeing female builders and techs — that’s new to me. Being able to get their perspective and hearing how their RC works compared to mine is really interesting.”
Perla Chavez, an automotive technician at the Houston RC, began her career in auto care with AutoZone and Walmart before joining DriveTime five years ago. Perla was excited to work alongside other women for the first time. “I’ve never worked with a woman in my entire career, ever,” Perla said. “Just sharing ideas with them and teaching them what I know. It’s very inspiring.” For those looking to learn more about the industry, her advice is simple, “You just have to want to do it. As long as you have that drive and you want to learn, then you can accomplish anything in this industry.”
Kandace Bourg, a CA at the Denver RC, started her career right out of high school at an Audi dealership and has since remained in the automotive world. “I love cars, I grew up around cars,” Kandace said. “And so, I just stuck with it.” Her enthusiasm echoed the sentiment of many women at the build: “You can do anything you set your mind to.”
Just the Beginning
The Women for Change build was a success with 14 women putting in 250 hours of work. They undertook extensive work on the vehicle, replacing the rear shocks, front CV axles, control arms, struts, stabilizer links, and tie rods. The motor mounts were also replaced to ensure optimal performance.
In addition to mechanical repairs, they stripped the hood, performed body work, and began dent removal on the trunk lid. The new front bumper was prepped for paint, while the rear bumper was repaired and prepped for a fresh coat. They also replaced the power steering pump, mounted and balanced new tires, and initiated further body work to restore the vehicle’s appearance.
The collaboration between these talented women not only advanced the automotive project but also highlighted the importance of creating spaces where women can thrive in traditionally male-dominated fields.
While the week of building turned out to be a success, the car is not done yet. Bogi will continue hosting workshops and classes for women in the community to help her finish it up so it can be donated to a woman in need at Maggie’s Place!
