Women are equals in workplace

Sisters are doing it for themselves.

The new Beefeater at the Tower of London may have made history this week by becoming the first woman to take up the post, but she's just one of many females working in traditionally male professions.

More and more women are showing they can learn the tools of the trades normally associated with the male of the species – and that's certainly the case in the Black Country where girl power is alive and well.

Wolverhampton's Marina Adams has managed to carve not one, but two successful careers in what were once traditional male preserves.

Marina, known as Maz, started her plumbing and heating company Mazgas in 2005 after spending two years juggling the demands of a full-time engineering career with her studies for her plumbing and gas qualifications.

"There's room for everyone – both men and women – if you have the skill and ability to do the job," said the 40-year-old.

"Women were doing the traditional men's jobs during the war, so it's all a myth that we can't do the same work that they do," she said.

Anna Stevenson from Dudley is one of the West Midlands' brightest young manufacturers. The 25-year-old set up her own company Millennium Pressed Metal Ltd seven years ago.

Her metal pressings business, which makes parts for everything from TVs and microwaves to Bentley cars, now employs 38 staff – 23 of which are women.

"Manufacturing may have been traditionally dominated by men, but as long as you have the capability and knowledge it's something that both men and women can do," said Anna.

Rev Jenny Hill, the Rural Dean of Walsall, says female vicars still face some prejudice today.

"Things are certainly easier for women entering the Church today than it was for me when I was ordained ten years ago," she said.

"But we still battle against those who question whether we should be doing the job. As far as I'm concerned, women can do the job as well as men," the 57-year-old said.

"We can work incredibly long days, but we know how to multi-task, with many female vicars married and with families.

"There's lots of able women out there, and I'd like to see many more ordained."

By Maria Cusine.