Welding Her Own Path: The Woman Forging Space in Male Dominated Trades
When you meet Eddie Garcia, you immediately feel her spark not just from the welding torch, but from the quiet fire that drives her. A 22 year old Spokane native, Eddie grew up with a blue collar dad and a pink collar mom. While she had every opportunity to follow a more “traditional” route, like cosmetology, she knew early on that her path would look different.
“I had all of the support to go into cosmetology, but welding just sounded way more badass,” she says with a laugh. “I want to be evidence that women can be strong.”
Eddie’s journey began unexpectedly at an all girls boarding school in Utah, where a summer elective introduced her to welding. What started as a curiosity quickly became a calling. “I did the best in the class and thought, ‘Is this something that could be a career?’” she recalls. “Since 2020, I’ve been thinking about what I really wanted to do. I finally decided I didn’t want to live to please people. I want to build and construct things that help my community.”
For Eddie, welding sits at the crossroads of creativity and rebellion both a challenge and a statement. “My dad always believed in me,” she says, “but I wanted to prove to both of us that I could handle the physical side of it. It’s not just about strength; it’s about resilience.”
Still, entering a male dominated field hasn’t been easy. “It’s extremely intimidating. I’m the only woman on my night crew,” she admits. “You don’t know these guys’ stories or backgrounds, and as a woman with traumas, that’s scary. But I’ve been lucky my coworkers have been kind, helpful, and willing to teach me. I really think you have to go in with a positive attitude to get a positive outcome.”
That optimism hasn’t erased the need to prove herself, though. “While applying for jobs, I was often belittled or pushed aside because I’m a woman,” Eddie shares. “Getting into this trade was really hard, but now I’m in a job that sees me for who I am rather than my gender, and that feels amazing.”
When people underestimate her, she channels it into motivation. “It gives me drive,” she says. “It pushes me to lock in and prove them wrong.”
Eddie’s queerness is another part of her identity she wears proudly. “It doesn’t really change my experience it’s just who I am,” she says. “I’m not going to conform for anyone. I have bright purple hair, I’m the only woman on night shift, and I love that I can just be myself at work. Showing up as yourself is rebellion.”
Welding, for Eddie, is more than a job it’s an art form. “It’s about control and patience,” she explains. “You go at your own pace, make sure there are no undercuts, and perfect something that’s both functional and beautiful. It’s literally an art.”
Her proudest moment so far? “At work, I was fitting and welding beams for structural builds. Every time I fit something the first time and nailed it, I thought, ‘Damn, I did that.’”
Beyond the sparks and steel, Eddie’s heart is set on building community not just physical structures, but emotional and creative ones too. She believes there’s room and a need for more women and queer people in the trades. “This isn’t the 1950s anymore,” she says firmly. “People need to get over themselves and be open minded. We need more women welders.”
When asked what change she hopes to see in the next decade for the trades, her answer is simple: “More women and more positive attitudes.”
Eddie’s honesty is disarming she talks openly about her fears and her growth. “My goals keep me going,” she says. “It’s new, but it feels so good knowing I have potential and a future.”
If she could talk to her younger self, she knows exactly what she’d say: “Don’t silence yourself to please other people. I used to avoid everything, and now I feel like it’s my turn to wake up and be opinionated. Love yourself. Educate yourself.”
And for anyone standing at the edge of a risk, wondering if they’re brave enough to take the leap? Eddie doesn’t hesitate: “F*** it take the jump! Fear doesn’t define you; it just means you care.”
More than anything, she hopes people walk away from her story with one message: “Facing your fears isn’t the worst case scenario. Time is everything don’t waste it. I spent five years debating if I wanted to weld, and now that I’m here, it’s everything. Follow your dreams. You’ll feel powerful. You’ll feel at peace.”
