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Gale Schmidt grew up in an era when a woman鈥檚 career choices were pretty much confined to home economics or working as a secretary. She enjoyed building things and was determined to do work that she loved.

鈥淚t was the path less chosen and obstacles were everywhere. I was always looked at as incapable because I was a woman,鈥� she said, adding it was common for her to be ignored at the hardware store or lumber yard and her proposed solutions to problems on projects were typically ignored.

鈥淭hat type of prejudice of underestimating a person鈥檚 talents or abilities needs to be obliterated. People need to be given a chance to learn and grow and be valued.鈥�

Now the owner of her own business with 12 employees, Schmidt takes a proactive approach to diversity, equity and inclusion within her team.

鈥淧eriodically, we will discuss diversity in our morning meetings. I try to get the privileged among us to notice that our neighbors do not have things as good as we do, that the system is not equal,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e brought in trainers and had diversity training. I often speak of news events that show disparity and try to raise awareness. It鈥檚 easy to think a problem does not exist if we only see our immediate circumstances. It鈥檚 important to see things from the other side.鈥�

Schmidt started A2 Fabrication in 1996 as Access Ability Inc., and manufactured and sold wheelchair access ramps. A2 Fabrication produces commercial railings for balconies, pedestrian areas, parks, stairs and commuter stations.

Irene Appel with Professional Business Development Group shared an anecdote about a project where the owner and architect had concerns about concrete ramps that were to feature steel handrails. Schmidt and her crew held the rails in place for about 10 minutes so the owner and architect could see what the final product would look like.

鈥淭hey were very pleased and could see that the concrete work did not need to be redone. This was an extra trip and effort for (Gale鈥檚 crew) and was instrumental in making the project a success,鈥� Appel said.