Doing tough work surrounded by grease and tools, Andressa Silva de Souza has built a successful business for herself, where she is the boss of several men. She is not afraid to get dirty.
In these times, many people are drawing attention for challenging the things we all take for granted. For decades, even centuries, it was taken for granted that men were the ones who did the hard jobs, jobs that could get them dirty or hurt them, while women took care of household tasks. Nowadays, men help at home and women do physical labor without any problem.
@andressapolimentos
Proof of this is the story of Andressa Silva de Souza. A resident of Rondônia, Brazil, this 21-year-old woman is becoming famous on social media because of the valuable service she offers truck drivers passing through her area.
@andressapolimentos
Because it is a very busy route for those who transport goods between the Amazon and the rest of their vast country, Andressa frequently meets truck drivers who stop at her shop to request her services. Contrary to what our outdated common sense tells us, Andressa is not in charge of serving them a plate of food or anything like that.
@andressapolimentos
She picks up her tools and sets about cleaning and polishing truck engines, a fundamental task so they can keep rolling in ideal condition:
“They never said I was too feminine to do my job, but they have doubted my physical strength, because it is very heavy work. I love my job and getting dirty does not affect my vanity; on the contrary, every day I prove to myself that I am capable.”
–Andressa Silva de Souza to Razoes para Acreditar–
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By showing her work on social media and other outlets, Andressa has drawn the attention of both men and women. At 21 years old, she says that doing heavy, exhausting, and traditionally “male” work does not diminish her femininity in the slightest:
@andressapolimentos
“I love dressing up; I think it boosts any woman’s self-esteem. Looking at yourself in the mirror and loving yourself is very good. As for getting dirty at work, it does not bother me; in fact, I do not even remember it. A woman can be sweet while also being firm, sensitive, financially independent, and feel beautiful with all her qualities or flaws.”
–Andressa Silva de Souza to Razoes para Acreditar–
Her story is one of many that inspire girls who may be hesitant to do an activity that does not “correspond” to women.
@andressapolimentos
As this industrious woman shows (she already has several employees working alongside her, all men except for one), it is possible to do heavy, hard work without setting aside what is traditionally feminine.
@andressapolimentos
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