Local historians say there are even stories of women dressing as men to gain work in the industry.

A lot has changed. In the last 50 years, women have made their way into science, technology, engineering and math professions including mining.

Take Kristen Mariuzza, born and raised in Ishpeming, who is now the general manager of Eagle Mine.

Mariuzza, an engineer by trade, worked at the Empire Mine in Palmer while earning a bachelor’s degree from Michigan Technological University.

Eagle Mine operations employee Julie Norris, second from left, talks to Eagle Mine General Manager Kristen Mariuzza, third from left, and Mine Internal Communications and Engagement Adviser Lindsay Bean, far right, before marking a punch-card during a ladies night event at the Eagle Mine Information Center in Marquette on Thursday. The Eagle Mine employs 435 workers, 18 percent of whom are women. Of those, 9 percent are in leadership positions at the mine. (Journal photo by Lisa Bowers)

In fact, a Ladies Night celebration in downtown Marquette on Thursday took on a whole new meaning for Mariuzza and her 463-member workforce, 18 percent of whom are female — more than double the global average of 9 percent in the industry.

The event featured five women employed at the Eagle Mine in a variety of roles, from administrative to operations.

“I think mining is an industry that is male dominated throughout history and we are really proud of the women at Eagle,” Mariuzza said. “We just wanted to inspire women out there to let them know that there are opportunities out there that they may not believe exist. We believe a woman’s place is wherever she wants to be, and so often women choose to take positions or roles in an industry that’s male dominated. They think they can’t, they think they are not good enough. This is really just to highlight, yeah you can.”

Mariuzza said she hopes featuring women in the mining industry will inspire young girls by showing the various jobs that women can do.

Julie Norris, a Big Bay native who has worked in Eagle Mine operations for the last four years, said she gravitated toward industrial and manufacturing jobs throughout her career.

“I have always worked in an industrial setting, I have never had a traditional job by the standards of female traditional jobs,” Norris said. “I have always been in manufacturing, food manufacturing and all kinds of different types and I wanted to come home and I was really interested in Eagle and I have been following them for a long time and kind of waiting for them. The opportunity … the timing was perfect.

Mining played a pivotal role in what the Upper Peninsula is today — and the formation of many U.P. cities and towns — were, in some fundamental way, affected by it.

Although they were not allowed to delve into mine shafts or pits, U.P. women have played their own vital role centuries have played their own vital role in underpinnings of mining society.

Whether it was making sure miners had food in their lunchpails and clean clothes to wear, taking care of children and livestock and heating the home in sometimes unforgiving winter conditions among many other things women were a crucial foundation of society.

Women can take their resilience and skills to become whatever they desire, Mariuzza said.

“We have people that are in operations, maintenance, finance, like any other business, human resources, social responsibility, environment, health and safety,” Mariuzza said. “We have women in all of those roles. We have much higher female employment than the global industry. We would love to see it 50/50. That would be a great goal, but we need more women to apply and be interested in the industry.”

Both Mariuzza and Norris said one thing is key for women seeking STEM and other non-traditional positions: Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do.

“I would probably tell her not to listen to the people who tell you that you can’t do that or you wouldn’t like that,” Mariuzza said. “Go for what you are passionate about and what you care about and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t.”

“(If) it provides a good life for you and your family, (then) don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it. Don’t back down, don’t ever back down,” Norris said.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242.