Ladies and gentlemen: The conversation on "women frame builders" has jolted me, because we have confounded three very different concepts, in a way that seems unfair to all three. I think that defining the terms will illustrate:
1) Women as constructeurs. Designer and builder of the bike. And we've seen mention of some, such as Margo at Lunacycles (?).
2) Women as shop owners with house brands. Presumably they specified the bike designs, but bought bikes just like they bought tyres and derailleurs.
3) Women as brazers in an assembly process, as at Schwinn's Paramount "cage." Those who don't work in or visit factories just don't see how much production line work is done by women now and historically. This work often involves a high level of skill and discipline, but rarely involves design of the product or its manufacturing process.
I met Georgena Terry once at a tandem rally, and she's a very impressive person. Whether or not she is a "Brazin' Hussie" who both designed and built (as I think she did). She's been an innovator, much to be admired. And has chosen a whole different level of responsibility from that of the skilled artisans who brazed up the Paramount framesets.
So, I hope that this helps us remember that the term "frame builder" can take very different meanings.
harvey sachs
mcLean va