As Renee Barstow strolled through the grounds of the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion (WMSTR) in Rollag on Labor Day weekend in 2021, she spotted something on the schedule that piqued her interest: a Ladies of Steam presentation set for the following day.
It was a moment of curiosity and opportunity for the special education teacher from Taylors Falls, Minnesota.
Barstow’s journey into the world of steam engines began after attending the Almelund Threshing Show near her hometown. She had always appreciated the spectacle of steam traction engines but had never considered actively participating in their operation or maintenance.
That day in Rollag would change everything.
Nicole Wallace Thurman (kneeling left) and Jen Roth (kneeling right) pose with participants following The Ladies of Steam “Women Teaching Women” presentation during the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion this past Labor Day weekend.
“My brother, Joe, was obsessed with trains,” Barstow, 40, said. “Most of the men in our family were mechanics. As a young girl, I had zero interest in any of it. But at the Almelund show, an exhibitor told my brother and me about Rollag. We’d never heard of it, but since we’d both loved steam since we were kids, we decided to check it out.”
When Barstow saw the Ladies of Steam presentation titled "Women Teaching Women," she immediately felt a connection.
“It felt like a man’s world, and as a novice, it was intimidating. But seeing a presentation led by women who had probably gone through similar experiences put me at ease. It was reassuring to learn in an environment where I could ask questions that might seem silly in a different crowd,” she said.
The presentation not only introduced Barstow to the basics of steam engines but also discussed the University of Rollag College of Steam Traction Engineering, where she could deepen her understanding and work toward earning a steam engineer’s license. That sparked her interest, and she wasted no time.
Renee Barstow runs a 1916 16 HP Advance Rumely during the Almelund Threshing Show in August 2023. The engine was powering the sawmill.
“They said, ‘There’s a limited number of spots so you should sign up right away.’ So I literally left that moment and ran to the admissions office and signed up,” Barstow said with a laugh.
She attended the course the following Father’s Day weekend and took her first steps into the world of steam engine operation, a path blazed by the Ladies of Steam founders, Jen Roth and Nicole Wallace Thurman.
The Birth of Ladies of Steam
Roth and Wallace Thurman started the Ladies of Steam initiative in 2015 with a clear vision: to foster inclusivity, empowerment, and education in a field long seen as male-dominated. Their goal was simple: to provide a welcoming space where women could connect, learn, and build confidence in operating steam-powered equipment.
“We were talking about the steam hobby and how much fun it is,” Roth said. “We’re fortunate at Rollag to have a strong female presence, but that’s not the case everywhere. So, we wanted to create a platform for women to network and connect.”
“Our mission is to create a vibrant community that celebrates women involved in steam in any capacity,” Wallace Thurman said. “It’s a space where women can lift each other up, tackle challenges, and build strong connections, all while keeping the rich history of steam alive.”
Expanding Reach and Growing Community
The Ladies of Steam platform took shape through two main initiatives: “Women Teaching Women” events annually at WMSTR and the James Valley Threshing Show in Andover, South Dakota, and social media outreach.
Roth and Wallace Thurman also attend other shows, including in 2018 when they went to the Great Dorset Steam Fair in the United Kingdom.
The growth of Ladies of Steam doesn’t rest solely upon Roth and Wallace Thurman because of the implementation of other women hosting events at their local shows. Other women, including Jen’s mother, Clara Edin, also assist at the Rollag event.
“With so many talented and capable women involved, we’re excited to see even more Ladies of Steam events at various shows and gatherings in the future,” said Wallace Thurman, 35, an engineer with the US Department of Agriculture who lives in Emporia, Kansas.
Their hands-on presentations cover the basics of steam engine operation, focusing on safety. The experience culminates in the thrill of pulling the throttle and seeing the engine in action.
“Getting someone up on the engine for the very first time and watching their eyes light up when they turn the engine over – it’s magical,” said Roth, 38, who is a clinical psychologist and PTSD specialist with the US Department of Veteran Affairs in St. Cloud, Minnesota. “Seeing the steam bug take hold is just incredible.”
Jen Roth (left) and Nicole Wallace Thurman began Ladies of Steam in 2015.
Safety remains a key focus during the presentations. For example, attendees learn the importance of wearing cotton instead of synthetic clothing, which reacts differently in the event of a fire. This kind of detailed, practical advice makes the events both informative and engaging.
Wallace Thurman said girls as young as newborns and women well into their retirement years have attended presentations. Men and boys also are common participants; however, the hands-on experience is prioritized for the women.
They even gave a presentation on September 21, the day Wallace Thurman and her husband, Gib, were married at Pioneer Bluffs in Chase County, Kansas. After the ceremony, as the meat roasted in the engine's smokebox and steam-cooked corn was made with the engine's steam, Wallace Thurman, still in her wedding dress, and Roth, in her bridesmaid dress, led attendees in a spontaneous presentation. Kelsey Beyer and Kari Jean also assisted along with young Lady of Steam, McKenzie Lessin, helping her brothers and the engine crew make homemade ice cream with the miniature steam engine.
“Between ceremony and dinner, it was decided that we do a ‘Women Teaching Women’ event and do a boiler 101 demonstration and show how levers worked," Roth said.
Although they swapped their wedding shoes for gloves and boots, Wallace Thurman admitted that dresses aren’t typical attire for operating an engine, so the presentation was limited but still enjoyable.
“Jen told everyone that normally we use clothing as a safety discussion,” Wallace Thurman said. “This time, we were very, very cautious and extremely careful.”
Beyond live events, the Ladies of Steam has grown through social media, with more than 14,000 followers on Facebook and more than 2,000 on Instagram. The social media presence has been crucial for connecting with women worldwide, with followers from over 60 countries.
“We started the Facebook page not anticipating the type of growth it got,” Roth said. “Within a few weeks, we had international followers.”
Wallace Thurman emphasized the role of social media in building a global community of women who feel empowered to get involved in the steam hobby.
“The social media pages help us inspire and empower women more than we could in person,” she said. “It’s all about creating a space where women can proudly say, ‘I can do that too!’”
A Shared Passion
Both Roth and Wallace Thurman discovered their love for steam engines at a young age.
Roth, who grew up south of Duluth, Minnesota, was reluctant to attend WMSTR as a teenager but quickly found herself captivated by the machines.
“I was a 15-year-old girl, and I hated it,” she said. “And then for some reason I went back the next year.
“That’s when the bug bit me hard.”
Her father, Jeff, and her brother, Colt, got their operator’s licenses in 2004; Roth and her mother did so the following year. The family owns a 28 HP Minneapolis, which is housed at Rollag.
After Wallace Thurman’s grandparents took her to WMSTR shows, her mother sensed a growing interest, and with the rest of the family not showing the same passion, she reached out to others.
“My mother was trying to scout other people I could connect with and met Jen and Clara,” Wallace Thurman said. “But I started working in Miniatureland (a children’s area at Rollag), and Jen was on the other side of the grounds, so we met, but we were doing our own things.”
The friendship took hold at the wedding of Roth and her husband, Greg – with Wallace Thurman attending as a plus one.
“Talk about an unexpected way to kick off a friendship,” said Wallace Thurman, who is restoring a 1919 16 HP Minneapolis. “It didn’t take long to realize how much we had in common.”
The Next Generation
For Barstow, completing the steam school at Rollag gave her 16 hours toward the 50 required to take the Minnesota operator’s license exam. Although she’s already met most requirements, she isn’t in a rush.
“It’s more about the experience, the growth, and the learning,” she said.
She volunteers with a local group a few weekends a year, especially preparing the engines for winter and the following spring for shows.
Jen Roth works with one of the younger
participants. Hands-on experience is a
highlight of the “Women Teaching
Women” presentations, and participants
range from girls as young as newborns
and women well into their retirement
years, Nicole Wallace Thurman said.
“Everyone wants the glory of being in the shows, and I’m willing to roll up my sleeves and do the dirty work,” said Barstow, who is a single mother of daughter Ruby, who is 11 and has been around the engines but doesn’t have much involvement just yet.
When asked about the best part of working with steam engines, Barstow said, “That’s like asking a kid about their favorite candy when you’re standing in the world’s largest candy store.”
Roth said her 3-year-old daughter, Naevia, first rode on an engine as an infant, and she is looking forward to getting her 11-month-old son, Caius, on one as well.
Although no longer involved in the business side of the venture, Roth expects to support the next generation of Ladies of Steam, which likely will include her daughter.
“I’ll never quit doing this,” Roth said. “It’s a beautiful hobby – paying homage to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the past while inspiring the next generation.”
It’s the same with Wallace Thurman.
“I’ll do this as long as I’m able,” she said.
“We want women to feel confident and supported by others who share this passion. Whether you’re into steam traction engines, locomotives, stationary engines, steamboats, or even just a passionate supporter of the hobby, we say, ‘If you’re a lady and you appreciate steam, you’re a Lady of Steam.’”