VIVA LA RÉVOLUTION! …Or Not?

Revolution (noun): a forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system; a sudden, radical or complete change; an activity or movement designed to effect fundamental changes in the socioeconomic situation.

     It’s a bold word. A dangerous word. A word that rattles cages and raises eyebrows.

     But here’s the question echoing through shop bays, classrooms and conference halls across the collision repair industry: Do we need a revolution? Or is that a dramatic overreaction to an industry that is already evolving (albeit at the speed of a rusted-out ‘74 Nova)?

     Over the past decade, the number of women working in shops has doubled. That’s progress worth celebrating. And yet, women still make up less than 5% of shop employees. In an industry desperate for qualified technicians, blueprinters, painters and leaders, can we afford to alienate half the population before they even clock in? That’s the tension.

     On one side of the argument, there are those who say: “Look how far we’ve come!” Fifty years ago, women in collision repair were nearly unheard of. Twenty years ago, they were anomalies. Ten years ago, they were rare. Today, they’re here. They’re welding, painting, calibrating ADAS systems, managing multi-shop operations, running OEM programs. Things are better. Opportunities exist. Doors are open.

     So, why talk about revolution when change is already happening? 

     After all, the word itself implies upheaval. Conflict. Division. It sounds like a rejection of everything that’s been built — by men and women alike — over decades of grit, grease and hard-earned skill. Many argue that what we need isn’t revolution, but evolution. Mentorship. Recruitment. Patience. The industry has always been tough. It’s not personal; it’s just the culture of the trades. “Toughen up” has long been a badge of honor. Why rewrite the rules now?