I moved into a new neighborhood, hoping to find new friends and the comfort of suburban life. However, no one was happy to see me.
Citizens avoided me, and neighbors peeked at me behind their fences. One day, I discovered something that sent shivers down my spine. Could this be the real reason for their hostility?I had just moved into a new house, rented through an agency, in a small suburb. It was a quaint little place with neat lawns and friendly-looking homes.
I had hoped for a peaceful and friendly life, imagining neighbors stopping by to say hello and welcoming me to the community. But that didn’t happen. From the first day, I noticed the cold shoulders. People didn’t greet me or even make eye contact. It was as if I was invisible.
I tried not to let it bother me, but it was hard not to feel lonely. One sunny afternoon, I was watering the flowers in my front yard when I saw a little girl riding her bike down the street.
I Opened My Own Auto Repair Shop to Make Women Feel Safe
A female mechanic has gone to lengths to ensure women and non-binary people feel comfortable and at ease whenever they have car troubles. The 25-year-old used to be “anxious” when she needed assistance, and male-dominated repair shops were the only thing available, so she started her own business.
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Zoe Cog, from Manchester, UK, created a safe space for women to look for car assistance, a repair shop she called AutoCog. Although she started out as a receptionist in the industry, she became a mechanic herself. It was then she realized women constantly felt anxious about entering male-dominated repair shops, fearing discrimination or belittling.
“I’ve been the girl on the other end, worried about walking into places like garages and feeling anxious, and although it’s never easy, I like to think I’m an approachable, friendly female who has created a place where you can walk in and feel at ease, regardless of your gender,” she said in an interview.
“I get pleasure out of taking the pressure off the girls and can give as good of a service as any male-owned garage, but also build trust with the people I’m working with,” she added.
The response to Autocog surpassed all expectations, according to her. “Honestly, the response to my garage has been phenomenal and beyond anything I’d ever expected. It’s been an incredible rollercoaster. I’ve had so much support and positive feedback from not just women but also some incredible words from men,” she revealed.
She continued, mentioning how some feedback also proved why a female-owned repair shop was much needed. “Although some of the comments have proved why such a place was needed for us women — that’s for sure. I’ve had people question my ability to do the job as a woman, but I don’t let it get to me,” she said.
Many women are all about fighting gender stereotypes, and inspiring stories come up every day online. An excellent example is Edine, a young woman who stopped removing facial hair and shared how it has changed her life with the world.
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