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Emmy Flowers, an automotive technology student, is WSCC’s student of the month. (photo provided)
For as long as she can remember, Washington State Community College Student of the Month Amy Flowers has been working on cars.
To earn a degree in automotive technology, she uses the attention she gets as a female mechanic to break the stereotype that the garage is only for men.
Gender was no barrier in the Flowers family when it came to working on cars. Her father said that he really wanted his firstborn son. “But I understand.” she said laughing.
Flowers said one of her earliest memories was helping her father work on a 1967 Chevelle as a 3-year-old.
“At that time I was just a flashlight holder, but I had my own little plastic tool kit.” Flowers said.
By age 8, Flowers was competing in a junior drag racing league. Keeping a racer running at peak performance takes a lot of work, and Flowers has always been up to her elbows in grease.
“When things weren’t working out,[my father]would make me help him.” She said.
She recalled a particular incident of testing and scrutiny when she was 9 years old and received some attention because of her gender. It was her second lap around the track when suddenly her steering wheel came apart, causing an accident. the announcer shouted. “That’s how you guys do it. And here is a girl.
In the end, her amazing competitive skills saw her finish eighth in the league at the tender age of 11.
“What can I say? I’m very competitive.” Flowers said. “I’m a girl who wants to be better than the boys at their ‘sport’.”
Difficult circumstances forced her to give up drag racing, but that didn’t diminish her desire to work on cars. The 26-year-old single mother said her friend’s car was always parked in her driveway in need of repairs. And just like her father, she has her 5-year-old son Declan by his side.
Last fall, when her son arrived to enroll in preschool, she saw it as an opportunity to earn a degree that would validate and expand her skills. The decision didn’t come from challenges like scheduling, school and work commitments, childcare and, unfortunately, neglect.
No one believes that this is actually a profession that some women really want. This does not make him an easy role to play.” Flowers said. “I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”
Her advice to people with a similar background to hers is simple.
“Go ahead. Single moms, mid-20s with no plans, living paycheck to paycheck, going to college when it seems impossible; do it.” She said. “Apply for grants, scholarships, financial aid and take a risk. If you have a passion for a particular field, follow your dreams. Really, if not now, when?”
Now in the first half of her master’s degree, Flowers said she wants to open her own automotive repair shop after she graduates next spring.
“It has always been my dream to own a store that people, especially women, can trust.” Flowers said.
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