Clay, Construction, Confidence: An Ode to Women’s Strength

Women are like Clay... Right?

Ok maybe not completely but women are soft and strong all at the same time - it's giving Clay.

International Women’s Day is always a special moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and to celebrate the incredible women who are making a difference in the world. This year, my female coworkers and I decided to do something different—something fun and creative to honor the day. Instead of the usual office celebrations, we took off a little early and spent the late afternoon at White Rabbit Collective, a wonderful woman-owned pottery business in Nashville.

It was an afternoon of bonding, learning a new skill, and, of course, talking shop—about work, life, and everything in between. For me, it was the perfect blend of relaxation and challenge. As an engineer, working in a male-dominated field, it felt so refreshing to be surrounded by strong women—especially one of them, the studio owner and fellow (new) mom, who taught our class!

A Creative Outlet with Meaning

Pottery has always been a creative outlet for me. A few years ago, I started my own little Etsy business, Charlene Ceramics, named after my late grandmother. I created food-shaped trinket holders and ashtrays from air-dry clay—just something fun to do in my spare time. But life has a way of keeping me busy, and I never quite got back into it. So, when this pottery class was pitched as an option for our celebration it was my top choice.

There’s something so empowering about working with your hands, shaping clay, and making something from scratch. It’s a wonderful reminder of the creativity we often forget we have within us. And spending time with these amazing women only made the experience better.

Childcare Logistics

As a single mom, finding childcare for spontaneous activities is often (not one of but) the biggest challenge I face. But, just when I thought that might stand in the way of my plans, fate stepped in. I found a new drop-in daycare center, no exaggeration, across the street from the pottery studio. Talk about timing!

It was my first time using a drop-in daycare, and I couldn’t have been more impressed. The process was smooth, and I could easily call to check in every 20 minutes to make sure my daughter was doing well (yes, I’m that mom). Music City Kids Club was affordable, convenient, and trustworthy. Plus, it gave me the freedom to enjoy the class knowing my little one was safe, happy, and close. I’ll definitely be using them again if I am in the area.

Bonding with Women, Learning, and Celebrating Our Achievements

The pottery Class turned out to be such a great way to connect with my coworkers and have meaningful conversations. We talked about the women who have paved the way for us and discussed the challenges and triumphs of being women in our respective fields. It was empowering to be in a space where we could both create art and share stories of resilience. It was nice to just chat about girly things for once.

Fun fact: Did you know that pottery and ceramics have a deep history with women? In many ancient cultures, women were the primary potters, creating everything from functional kitchenware to beautiful art pieces. Pottery has always been a way for women to express their creativity, culture, and ingenuity, and it was amazing to be a part of that tradition, even for just one night.

A Day Well-Spent: Why Women Supporting Women Matters

In the end, this International Women’s Day was a perfect reminder of the power of community, creativity, and supporting each other. Whether we’re engineers, artists, or moms, when women come together, amazing things happen. The pottery class was more than just a fun activity—it was a chance to challenge ourselves, share experiences, and reflect on the importance of female empowerment.