The Ladies of Steam: A New Generation of Steam Threshers

Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion Sees More Women Involved Each Year

ROLLAG, Minn. — With the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion wrapping up its final day, you may have noticed that this year there was no shortage of women doing the work.

In fact, more women are participating in this year’s reunion than in years past.

Don’t let the big tractors and moving machinery fool you,

When it comes to the heavy lifting, the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion is not gender specific.

“Years ago, when I first was involved, guys said ‘Women can’t do this stuff,'” said Deborah Ronsber of Minnesota. “Well, we can do this stuff.”

These ladies didn’t let that attitude derail them.

In fact, all of their hard work isn’t going unnoticed.

“I often wonder when people walk by if they’re like ‘Oh, that’s a girl doing that right there’ but other than that, it’s not too bad,” said Sami Lee of Minnesota. “We have quite a few women around here who get involved.”

With more and more women joining the threshing ranks, groups such as Ladies of Steam have developed.

The group hopes to encourage other women to step up and participate.

Ladies of Steam holds classes at the reunion to teach other women about steam threshing and some say they like the teaching environment.

“Working with other women, they understand the questions and everything better,” Ronsber said.

It’s about changing attitudes about women and continuing to teach women that nothing can stop them if they put their mind to it.

“I’m looking into getting into steam school next year, probably then I can get licensed and can be up there by myself too,” Lee said.

All for the tradition that keeps the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion rolling along.

The Steam Threshers Reunion has run every year on Labor Day weekend since 1954.