On Women’s Day, we interviewed a female welder with an inspiring story: Kerllem Gonzaga Lopes, mother of 2 children who lives in a predominantly male world, but who claims that the profession of welder is not too heavy for a woman because “we do what we love ”.

She leaves some advice to women who want to enter the world of welding: “Know that there will be good and bad days and do it with love and dedication that everything goes well”.

Electrex: What motivated you to pursue a career as a welder?

Kerllem: The death of my husband and having two young children to support is what motivated me. But I already knew welding, because my father had a small truck body factory, but I started working directly with industrial welding only in 2008 with the death of my husband. Then I went to the professional level and then the story is very long. But as I usually say, it wasn’t me who chose welding, it was welding that chose me.

Electrex: A question we can’t escape: was it difficult for you as a woman to enter a mostly male world?

Kerllem: Kerllem: It wasn’t difficult for me because I was born and raised in a male environment. With my father and my two brothers, I always worked with them, and I always had among my father’s employees who were all men. For me, when I went to the industrial area, it didn’t make much difference, the environment was the same. My family was my base, my father, my brothers, my husband and my two children taught me to be who I am.

Electrex: How do people react when they ask you what you do and you say that you are a welder?

Kerllem: The reaction is always one of astonishment. “A female welder”. I always smile because they always say the same thing: it’s a very heavy man’s profession for a woman and I answer no because when we do what we love. It’s not heavy and I love my profession and I’m very grateful for everything.

Electrex: What advice would you give to young women who want to be welders?

Kerllem: Don’t give up at the first hurdle. Let them know that there will be good and bad days and do it with love and dedication that everything goes well. Welding is practical, we are learning every day and I am happy to have more women entering this profession.