This Women’s History Month, Pioneers of the Possible is proud to celebrate the women building — quite literally — on the legacies of history’s great explorers. Last summer, co-host Sunniva Sørby joined an extraordinary cohort of eight women at the Steger Center for the Advanced Women’s Timber Framing Course, where participants crafted trusses for a historical replica of Shackleton’s Hut — the iconic Antarctic base camp Ernest Shackleton erected in 1906 during his legendary attempt to reach the South Pole. The original architectural designs were generously donated to the Steger Center by the New Zealand Antarctic Trust following their decade-long restoration of the hut, and now those plans are coming to life through the hands of skilled women in the trades.
Leading that course – and joining us live on March 31st at 2:00 PM EST – is the remarkable Jenna Pollard, a 15-year veteran timber framer and instructor who owns her own log building, timber framing business, and teaching school in northern Minnesota. Jenna has been swinging a mallet since she was 22, has built or assisted with over a dozen timber frames, and is deeply passionate about growing diversity in the trades through women’s and FLINTA-specific workshops. Don’t miss this conversation as we honor the women who are shaping – and framing – the future.
Jenna Pollard (she/her) has been timber framing since she was 22 years old and has taught timber frame workshops across the country. She has built or assisted with building over a dozen timber frames, from her own small cabin to large pavilions for community gatherings. Her passion for teaching has led her to offer women’s and FLINTA – specific timber framing courses as a way to grow diversity in the trades and provide a supportive learning environment for other women. She is excited to be teaching six timber frame workshops this summer, and leading two crews on large community projects. Jenna lives with her partner, two cats, twelve hens and resident rooster in northern Minnesota.
