Meet Our Namesakes
We are celebrating 5 years of Dovetail, highlighting the women who have helped build workwear by, for and with women. Meet our founders, employees, product namesakes, and wear testers. Learn about their work with Dovetail and see what they are doing now!
How did you originally get introduced to Dovetail?
I met Sara at one of the first workshops I did for Girls Build. Her daughter was helping us build a play structure for Mudbone Grown, and she was wearing Maven slims. I had to know more about those pants!
What kind of work were you doing at that time? And now?
I was a construction supervisor for Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East. Shortly after that first workshop, I became the program manager for Girls Build.
As a namesake, what feedback or wear testing did you participate in?
I was in the Dovetail offices to drop off some stuff that they had donated for a Girls Build auction and tried on a prototype of a jacket that eventually became my namesake jacket (the Evaleen Trucker Jacket, which was used to create our Thermal Trucker Jacket). It was love at first sight!
Tell us something dirty. Sawdust, oil, drywall, paint: share the tale of your nastiest job/project.
My dirtiest job was probably the most beautiful too. I got to spend time helping a trail crew at Glacier National Park many years ago. One of our first jobs was to dig a hole to move a pit toilet at Lake Josephine. Fortunately, I love digging, and I couldn’t imagine doing it in more gorgeous surroundings. It took my mind off thinking about what the hole would eventually be used for.
What do you have to sacrifice to be good at what you do?
During summer camp season, I don’t have a lot of free time. I’m lucky to have a supportive partner who picks up the slack at home and even jumps in to help at work when it’s crunch time.
What are the top five things that are always in your pockets?
A fat wallet, a keychain stocked with every key I’ll ever need, a notebook, my phone, a Leatherman and tons of pencils, pens and markers. Also, there’s often a random collection of bits and hardware.
What are you doing when you’re not working hard?
I love anything involving dogs and puzzles. On the weekends, cooking or baking while listening to Taylor Swift makes for a perfect afternoon.
Tell us something surprising about you.!
When I started working at Girls Build, a funny thing started happening to me. I am often mistaken as an employee wherever I go. I have gotten asked, “Do you work here?” at many places — Home Depot, the airport, Costco, Michaels, the grocery store. The list goes on!
How do you encourage other women to start doing what you do?
I’m lucky because encouraging others is integral to the work I do. But the kids we work with are so creative, and do so much to elevate the projects we work on that they end up inspiring and encouraging me.
Let’s get deep. Workwear specifically by and for women—what does it mean to you, how does it affect your life, and why is it important, philosophically?
I have worked with so many women over the years who have struggled to find workwear that fit them, and it is so gratifying to see the needs of working women being met. I didn’t even know I wanted pants that look great and function well until I had some. It makes such a difference!
Are there any organizations/nonprofits you work with that you think we should know about?
Girls Build is at the top of my list. It is a great place to work — my coworkers are so fun, smart and talented. The best part is I have now been at Girls Build long enough to see some of our campers grow up and become such capable, creative and amazing young people. It’s truly inspiring.
Dovetail Workwear Disclaimer: We are not the boss of our Women At Work! They say it their way and wear it their way.
