Standing Alone, Standing Strong: A Woman’s Place on an All-Male Team
Breaking barriers in a male-dominated space: How compassion and purpose became my greatest assets.
Being the only woman on an all-male team comes with a unique kind of visibility. Every decision is noticed. Every mistake feels amplified. When I chose to work in a men’s facility, I faced pushback—not just from colleagues, but from people who knew me personally. Many questioned why I would willingly step into a space where I would stand alone. What they didn’t understand was that this work didn’t isolate me—it transformed me.
From the beginning, I knew that showing up would require more than credentials or textbook knowledge. The best career advice I ever received was simple: never stop being willing to learn. Every day, I meet men with different histories, perspectives, and lived experiences. While education provides a framework, real understanding comes from listening. Each person carries a story that deserves to be heard, and each one has something to teach if you’re willing to remain open.
Working in a male-dominated environment has revealed just how deeply men struggle with stigma—particularly around mental health and vulnerability. Men face layered expectations to be strong, silent, and self-reliant, often at the cost of their well-being. As a woman in this space, I’ve learned that compassion is not a weakness—it’s a bridge. Recognizing trauma, meeting it without judgment, and helping someone work through it is a responsibility I don’t take lightly. Whether or not the work is recognized has never mattered to me. The impact does.
My advocacy didn’t begin in a professional setting—it began at home. I adopted a child born into substance abuse, which opened my eyes to the generational consequences of addiction and the gaps in systems meant to protect the most vulnerable. I’ve lived through domestic violence, learning firsthand what it means to survive, rebuild, and reclaim your voice. These experiences didn’t harden me—they clarified my purpose.
I’ve also watched single fathers walk through treatment programs after losing their children to the system—not because they didn’t want help, but because help wasn’t designed for them. Many facilities are geared toward women and mothers, which is critically important, yet fathers are often left without options that allow them to heal while remaining present parents. I believe there is both a challenge and an opportunity here: to create spaces where men can seek treatment without losing their families. Doing so would open doors for countless fathers who desperately want to do better but don’t know where to turn.
At the heart of everything I do are a few core values: integrity, compassion, and accountability. I believe in showing up fully, doing the right thing even when it’s uncomfortable, and treating every person with dignity—regardless of their past. These values guide my work, my parenting, and my relationships. Consistency between who you are professionally and who you are personally is where trust is built.
Perhaps most importantly, I want to pave the way for my stepdaughters. I want them to see that they don’t need permission to take up space, that leadership doesn’t require fitting into someone else’s expectations, and that advocating for others is one of the most powerful things a person can do. If they grow up knowing they can be strong and compassionate—confident and kind—then I’ve done something right.
Being the only woman on an all-male team has never been about proving myself. It has been about standing firm in purpose, giving voice to those who feel unheard, and continuing to show up—day after day—for the people who need someone to believe they matter. And I will continue to do that for as long as I am able.
