Celebrating the Dynamic Team Barn Light on International Women’s Day
First celebrated in 1911, International Women’s Day honors the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Here at Barn Light Electric, we are especially proud of the women on our team who contribute to the production and promotion of our USA-made lighting, furniture, and dinnerware.
“The 51 women in our Barn Light family bring a diverse body of knowledge, expertise, and skills to crafting high-quality, American-made products,” says Donna Scott, co-owner and founder of Barn Light Electric. “Women make up 43 percent of the Barn Light workforce and 40 percent of the management team. We applaud them all every day but especially on International Women’s Day.”
Today, we’re featuring six women on the Barn Light team who have a passion not only for hard work but for bringing their own special personality to their department. And don’t miss our Instagram video showing our ladies in action!
What famous woman do you admire? Although not famous, I would have to say my high school teacher, Mrs. Zakovitch, had the most influence on my pursuing an accounting career. She taught my bookkeeping and office classes which prepared me for college and gave me the love for accounting. To this day, I speak of her often when talking about my education and how grateful I am to have learned so much from her.
What are three words your co-workers at Barn Light would use to describe you? Patient, supportive, and knowledgeable.
If you could work in a different Barn Light department for a day, which one would you choose? The woodshop. I would find it to be a challenging and rewarding experience to create any of our wood products.
As a 10-year-old, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a veterinarian until I realized it wasn’t just hugging and kissing pets all day long.
What book could you read over and over without ever tiring of it? Other than children’s books, I have never had the desire to read a book more than once. There are too many great ones for that, but I do have If You Give A Mouse a Cookie memorized, and it will be added to my daughter’s book collection for sure!
If you could work in a different Barn Light department for a day, which one would you choose? Just for the day, it would be fun to spray the porcelain shades especially the Pollock shades because you get to be a little more creative with them. But I love my marketing team!
Who was your favorite female role model as a child and what? My Nana. She gave up everything for her family including raising me. She taught me how to be a kind, strong, and independent woman. She was an angel on earth.
What are three words your co-workers at Barn Light would use to describe you? Goofy, sneaky-quiet, and helpful! Goofy absolutely being number one!
If you could work in a different Barn Light department for a day, which one would you choose? Assembly! It would be so amazing to put together the parts I push through and build it myself. These fixtures go so many places — homes, businesses, and other areas. Barn Light reaches every corner of the US!
How was your mother an influence on the woman you have become today? My grandmother, Ada, was on the tail end of the suffragette movement to bring attention to women’s rights for equality. She was a strong, independent woman who believed in a female’s right to be self-sufficient, self-reliant, and entitled to equal education during a time when women were typically homemakers. My mother, Susan, a single mother of four, showed me how to stand on your own two feet and have your voice heard.
How have you been an influence on your own daughter? From a very young age, our daughter, Crista, was always driven and independent. By allowing her the freedom to explore her imagination, creativity, and individuality, her independence and natural intellect blossomed. She is the epitome of an over-achiever and has grown into a well-respected, inspirational leader and mentor in the space industry here in Florida.
If you could work in a different Barn Light department for a day, which one would you choose? For two weeks in 2019, I worked in Cage 1 Inventory and found the hustle and bustle quite enjoyable. You are ALWAYS moving and pulling parts for the Daily Order BOM (Bill of Materials) sheets. This constant activity provides a clear picture of everything it takes to make one of our handcrafted lights. While Customer Care deals strictly with customers and the options for customizing such as shade sizes, finish colors, and mountings, working in inventory gives a glimpse of every single part that goes into each light.
What famous woman do you admire? I do not have a famous woman whom I admire, but I consider my mother to be the woman I most admire. She worked two jobs to ensure that my four siblings and I had food to eat and clothes to wear. She asked only one thing of all of us which was to graduate high school.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Treat others as you would like to be treated as I have been told you never know what a person is dealing with in their lives.
If you could work in a different Barn Light department for a day, which one would you choose? The Assembly department as this is the final department before the product is shipped to its destination. Seeing the work that goes into putting everything together is such a joy.
Who in your life makes you laugh the most? My two boys keep me on my toes but crack me up at the most perfect times.
As a 10-year-old, what did you want to be when you grew up? Ten-year-old me wanted to follow in my Memaw’s footsteps and be an elementary teacher.
If you could work in a different Barn Light department for a day, which one would you choose? I would not want to work anywhere else but if I had to choose a different department to work in for a day, I would choose Engineering. It seems pretty mellow and laid back up there.
