Where the Boys Are

Until I actually arrived at my first storm assignment, I doubt anyone was fully aware that I was a woman. My résumé had been well presented, my training commendable. I had the right certificates and references. I also had nearly the same name as a major league baseball player. In a male-dominated industry, I found that a unisex name could be a plus. Even though my voice mail is obviously a woman‘s voice, it is amusing how many messages left start with "Please tell Randi Meyer that ... ." The caller assumes it‘s a secretary‘s voice. The confusion is understandable. Less than 10 percent of the nation‘s catastrophe adjusters are women. When I arrive at a storm, even I am amazed if there is another female adjuster on the storm roster. The question is, in an age when so many women are contributing so much to "nontraditional industries," why are so few becoming catastrophe adjusters?