Meet Mary Steele, the first woman to achieve and maintain the 20-year Senior Master Technician certification.

From a young age, Steele has always had an interest in how things work. She recalled that if a clock or an appliance stopped working, it would become hers to try to fix. In high school, there were no automotive classes, just a small engine repair class that she took to explore her interest in taking things and putting them back together. After the class, the need to know how cars worked became stronger, and thankfully, for Steele, she could learn outside of the classroom with her father.

"I spent many hours in the garage with my dad repairing the family vehicles; I was his gofer," Steele said. I went for every tool he needed, watched him work, and asked questions."

As Steele continued to express her interest, her father started explaining more clearly what he was doing and why.

"My dad was only home on the weekends, so I thought if I learned how to work on cars, I could keep them on the road while he was away," she recalled. "It then became my dream to work at the local Ford dealership."

Steele knew what she wanted and went for it. In the early 80's, Steele explained the difficulty women had getting hired in the automotive field with no experience. Her dream started at a local Goodyear tire shop for a year before taking a job as a detailer in the wash bay at her local Ford dealership. This is where she stuck her foot in the door and proved she had what it takes to be a technician.

"An older tech disassembled a four-speed transmission and refused to reassemble it. They brought it to me and asked if I could repair it, so I rebuilt it and reinstalled it in the car, and it worked!" Steele said proudly. "I was then moved from the wash bay to the repair line."

Since then, Steele has continued to grow as a technician, and her passion for her craft has only increased.

"My favorite part about being a technician was showing the men I could do it. It's a good feeling when you're able to diagnose and repair some of the most technologically advanced vehicles on the road," Steele said.

Older models are her favorite vehicles to service.

"Anything with a carburetor or a diesel, the 7.3 was the one I liked the best, and the 6.0 was the biggest challenge when it first came out," Steele explained excitedly. "After reading the theory and learning how it was designed to work, the challenge wasn't as big, and other techs and shops started asking me how to repair them!"

Being the first woman technician to achieve the 20-year Senior Master status wasn't on her radar. Steele was more focused on working through the programs and expanding her knowledge and skills as a technician. With each certification, she made the next level her goal until she reached 20 years and was pleasantly surprised to find out she was the first woman to achieve and maintain it.

When Steele started out, there weren't many women in the field, so she's proud now to be a mentor to young women entering the field.

"The local high schools send students enrolled in the co-op program, and I became a mentor at our shop for the one woman enrolled in the program," Steele said.

Her advice to women considering pursuing a technician career is to do it.

"If your dream is to repair vehicles, then do it. If cars are your passion, then follow it. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't. Prove them wrong every chance you get," she said proudly.

According to Steele, the automotive industry is no longer a man's world. She believes there should be more women technicians in the field and explains that women's attention to detail, gentle touch, and small hands give them an advantage.

"They are better at finesse than brawn," Steele said.

Looking back on how far she's come, Steele is proud. The only advice she would give to her younger self is to be patient.

“Take your time and do it right the first time. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Learn from
your mistakes, and don't make the same mistake twice. Don't let them see you cry, stay
tough and stick with it.”

– Mary Steele, 20-year Ford Senior Master Technician

Ready to take Mary Steele’s advice and start your automotive service technician career? Get started now by enrolling into a New Ford Tech program! Click here to learn more.

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