Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, hosted a special children’s book reading and hands-on STEM activity at the Douglas MacArthur Girls Leadership Academy in Cleveland, Ohio, on International Women’s Day.

The event was organized by Oatey’s Women’s Resource Network (WRN), an associate resource group dedicated to women’s professional, personal, and leadership development. A new children’s book, The House That She Built, educates young readers about the people and skills that go into building a home. The book tells the true story of a home built by all female tradespeople.

Through the pages of The House That She Built, Douglas MacArthur students in Pre-K through 3rd grade discovered the various construction trades involved in building a home. One by one, they learned about the architect, framer, roofer, plumber, HVAC technician, and many more.

In addition to the book reading, 12 WRN members, including Katherine Lehtinen, Oatey Co. brand and digital marketing senior vice president, who sits on the executive leadership council for The House that She Built, led the students in a hands-on STEM activity. 

“The Women’s Resource Network is proud to promote women in the building trades and to educate young students about these underrepresented careers through a relatable children’s book like The House That She Built,” said Amanda Keiber, co-chair of WRN and director of corporate communications, Oatey Co. “It was also a joy to lead the girls through activities that serve as an introduction to the vast opportunities for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.”