51 Special Guest Morgan Mentzer of Reckoning Trade Project

Morgan Mentzer is the co-founder and executive director of Reckoning Trade Project. Morgan started with an undergrad in human rights then wanted to be an auto mechanic and turn wrenches.  But then determined that she also wanted to be lawyer. Her dream was to have a auto repair shop where she could fix your car and file any legal papers you need as well. She started as an apprentice mechanic, went to tech school then decided to go to law school. After completing law school Morgan worked part time as a mechanic and started the Lavender Rights Project, an LGBT legal services firm.

In 2018 a welder friend and Morgan brainstormed the idea of forming an organization that brought together queer and trans people in the trades together. The Reckoning Trade Project was born. There were social and educational events bringing people together until the pandemic hit. One event included a tiny home build with Sawhorse Revolution, an organization introducing youth to the trades.

Today the organization is growing to include the training for employers and how to include the marginalized population in the workforce. Reckoning Trade Project offers a mentor/mentee program to lend support to those entering the trades and having a skilled mentor to help them navigate the oftentimes difficult working environments. Go to www.reckoningtradeproject.org to get involved and to learn more. Check them out on Facebook and Instagram.

If you have questions or a story to share with us please drop us an email at [email protected].

This podcast is recorded at The Winterblue Room (www.thewinterblueroom.com) in Seattle.