FARMINGTON – Kathy Pinkham had her tool belt fastened around her waist as she hung closet doors at the former Don’s AG building on Main Street.

She was working on what she called a California closet, which had shelves and a place to hang clothing.

The New Vineyard woman and other workers from Farmington Construction are renovating the three-story building.

Pinkham, who is 41 but looks likes she’s much younger, is the only woman on the nine-member crew. She has been working as a carpenter for nine years.

“Growing up we always had to do our own thing,” Pinkham said. “I’ve always been creative in working with my hands.”

Pinkham said she has never gone to carpentry school – all her knowledge is from on-the-job training.

“I’ve had an opportunity to work with some veterans,” she said. She has learned from them in addition to teaching herself.

“I’m willing to ask lots of questions,” she said.

People are sometimes surprised to see a woman carpenter, and although she gets respect from Farmington Construction crew workers, it’s not always that way with others in the field.

“I don’t feel as though this occupation as a woman is really highly accepted,” she said.

The guys she works with do all the heavy lifting for her without her asking so she won’t hurt herself.

“I do like doing finish work,” she said. “I like painting. I love framing. I like to see a building go together and take shape. I guess I like all of it, really.”

Pinkham works by herself a lot, though she likes working with others and thinks a task through thoroughly before she takes action.

“I’ve built my own home,” she said.

The shell was there, she said, but she has done a lot of it herself, including putting in the windows. She even has a wrap-around porch.

She has shared her talent with others, taking a trip to Idaho as a missionary with members of Farmington Baptist Church to help frame a church there.

“It’s encouraging to me and encouraging to some others to see a woman working as a carpenter,” she said. “I love it. I really love my job.”

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