Posted April 18, 2019

 

SAVANNAH, Ga. – In more than two decades of covering our amazing textile industry, I’ve never been in the minority based on gender – until last month, when I worked up the “courage” (ahem) to attend the Industrial Fabric Association International’s (IFAI’s) inaugural Women in Textiles Summit here.

 

And that’s a good thing. A wonderful thing. An awesomely fantastic thing.

 

For years, as I’ve covered and photographed many of our industry’s events, I couldn’t help but notice the predominance of baldness, blue blazers, button-down shirts and beer bellies – with only a few dresses, coifs and makeup mixed in. Not this time, no sir … um, ma’am.

 

For two days, I witnessed an engaging, estrogen-filled program full of inspiration and insights from some of our industry’s leading women who have climbed to the top of our male-dominated industry and succeeded, by any measure. And, as importantly, I saw the gleam on many faces of a number of younger women who aspire to not only be a part of all this, but to make a difference in our world.

 

As one who makes my way in this world in all of my maleness, I walked away from this event inspired and ready to do whatever I can to help ANYONE – female, male, doesn’t matter – become successful in our industry.

 

Which is really what it’s all about – helping others, regardless of gender or any other distinguishing characteristic. Our industry has been a “boys’ club” for way too long, and it’s time for we men to embrace anyone who has an interest in learning more about why we love our industry so much, and helping them endear to it just as much.

 

At the summit, Amy Bircher, founder and owner of MMI Textiles, Westlake, Ohio, served as emcee of the program and mixed in her personal history in the industry between interesting and often witty anecdotes.

 

“I have always been in the textile industry,” she said. “At one time I was just Jim Bircher’s daughter, when we were a rep firm. But then I started MMI in 1997 and now I am recognized as the leader of MMI Textiles.”

 

Bircher also pointed out from the dais that Debbie Grant, MMI’s marketing manager, had asked everyone to write down something positive about every person on their team. She then showed pieces of paper with all of those superlatives.

 

“This is very powerful,” she said. “This stuff means a lot. You’re not a good leader if you don’t recognize your weaknesses, recognize your strengths and surround yourself with good people.”

 

On hand as an attendee was Lisa Oehmig of Glen Raven, who was the first – and only – female president of the Southern Textile Association during its 100th anniversary year, 2008.

 

Among other women who have broken the glass ceiling and offered words of wisdom not only for the women in attendance, but for all of us was Patti Bates, general manager of the Protective Market, Glen Raven Technical Fabrics, Glen Raven, N.C. She kicked off the two-day event by discussing her journey in the industry. She touched on her mentors, a perception of others and her instructions for life.

 

Mentors, she said, don’t have to be men and they don’t to be older than you, she said. They just have to give honest feedback, she said.

 

“But just as important as the mentors are anti-mentors,” Bates said. “You have to be aware of those folks, too. They help you pay attention to good behavior and bad behavior.”

 

She also recommended attendees wear a multifocal lens.

 

“How do you see others?” she asked. “More importantly, how do you SEEK others? Great leaders are vulnerable. Great leaders are seeking advice, help and assistance and asking a lot of questions. If the team fails, they take responsibility in that. If it succeeds, they share in that.”

 

Bates then asked the women representing Glen Raven to stand up.

 

“We support each other,” she said as they were on their feet. “They could do any job in the world, but they chose textiles.”

 

Her instructions for life: Pay attention, be astonished and tell about it.

 

Much more inspiration followed, especially by two owners and CEOs of textile companies – Kathy Leonard of Auburn Manufacturing, Mechanic Falls, Maine; and Denise “Dee Dee” Offray of OTEX Specialty Narrow Fabrics, Bernardsville, N.J.

 

Leonard spoke of her history in the industry and why she stayed in it.

 

“My first job was with a textile manufacturer, and I loved it,” said Leonard, who later went into detail about her company. “I liked technical textiles. And I hit it at the right time.”

 

She also discussed a petition Auburn Manufacturing filed in 2016 with the U.S. Dept. of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission requesting imposition of antidumping and countervailing duties on certain amorphous silica fabric, an industrial textile, from China.

 

“We were turned inside out, but in the end, we won,” she said. “Since then, I’ve been called bad ass, and I actually said ‘thank you.’ ”

 

Offray was joined on the podium by her son Timothy Offray, who is fifth generation with the company.

 

““I’m the Big O and he’s the Little O,” she quipped.

 

OTEX, which makes high-performance specialty textiles, is family owned and operated since 1876, and she is the first female to own and operate the company, she said.

 

On hiring, she said, “I’m also gender blind. I hire the best person for the job. If you have a position to fill, you just have to fill it with the best person you can find.”

 

Attendees also heard from Justine Decaens, M.Sc.A, head of Technological Innovation – Smart Textiles, CTT Group, who discussed “Wearable Tech & Smart Textiles: A Platform for Women’s Leadership.

 

“The number of U.S. startups that say they have programs in place to increase women in leadership has jumped,” she said.

 

Two panel discussions with Q&A sessions were highlights of the event. One panel discussion, "Trailblazing Industry Women," featured Jane Johnson of Unifi, Offray and Leonard, who shared anecdotes about being some of the first women breaking into the textiles industry. Linden Wicklund, IFAI director of events and member programs, moderated.

 

Wicklund also moderated a Work/Life Balance Boundaries panel session featuring Wendy McBay, vice president of Marketing, Tensar, Alpharetta, Ga.; Robin Ritz, creative visionary and co-owner, InCord, Colchester, Conn.; and Sara Beatty, president, White Haven Trade, Washington, D.C., and also senior vice president of the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO).

 

Interactive sessions included roundtable discussions featuring workplace challenges and trends such as modern versus traditional roles, managing career ups and downs, and self-care. Every 15 minutes attendees switched tables to discuss a new topic. Women from multiple generations described their perspectives and noted shifts in workplace culture.

 

Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Sarah Moshman, whose work has been featured on Upworthy, Marie Claire and Good Morning America, wrapped up the summit with an inspiring look at her work. She highlighted her documentary, The Empowerment Project that features stories of successful women across the country.