Women's Power: Crafts on the East Frisian Islands

From Wangerooge to Borkum and Juist to the high seas: four craftswomen pursue their vocations both on and between the East Frisian Islands.

This article is part of the special feature on women in the trades.

The geographical pearl necklace of the North Sea : Borkum , Juist , Norderney , Baltrum , Langeoog , Spiekeroog and Wangerooge – from west to east, each of the islands located on the Lower Saxon North Sea coast has its own character and charm.

Four female craftswomen have chosen to live by the sea and pursue their callings on and between the East Frisian Islands.

Wangerooge: Roofer Johanna Rieger

Roofer Johanna Rieger. Photo: © private

"Being here still feels like being on vacation ," says Johanna Rieger, a roofer originally from the Harz Mountains, about her adopted home. She knew Wangerooge from holidays. She ended up on the island after submitting a speculative application. Her roofing colleagues all live on the mainland, making her the only islander working in the roofing trade on Wangerooge so far . "That means I'm practically the permanent on-call service on weekends ," the roofer notes with a laugh.

While tourists are given priority in the summer, larger projects like re-roofing take place in the winter. "When I first came to the island last winter, I was pretty much on my own," the 25-year-old explains. However, things have changed since then: she celebrates birthdays and games nights with friends, plays on the TuS Wangerooge women's football team , and also performs with the drum comedy group " Wangoo Diptams ".

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Borkum: Carpenter Paulina Richter

Carpenter Paulina Richter. Photo: © Nordseeheilbad Borkum GmbH

"I came across the job posting by chance , applied, and was accepted," explains Paulina Richter, a carpenter born in Bielefeld , about how she came to Borkum . She has been employed by Nordseeheilbad Borkum GmbH since June of last year . The 29-year-old repairs and maintains beach jetties and bathing carts.

Moving to Borkum was no small step, but the carpenter has since found new friends there, plays in the tennis club, is learning to kitesurf, and enjoys the peace and quiet and beautiful nature . And now it's clear: she wants to stay on Borkum.

Juist: Baker and confectioner Jessika Remmers

Baker and confectioner Jessika Remmers. Photo: © NDR Dörte

"Our four-layer raisin loaf and the butter cake ," answers Jessika Remmers when asked what her customers like to buy most. The master baker and confectioner is a true islander. After initially considering leaving Juist, she ultimately stayed: After completing her vocational high school diploma, she first trained as a ski instructor in Kleinwalsertal, Austria. But after working a season in her parents' bakery , she realized that this was her true calling.

Today, the 25-year-old works full-time on Juist . Summer is peak season, while she uses the winter months for things like attending trade fairs . "The shop is closed then, but there are still a thousand things to do that you just can't manage in the summer," explains Jessika Remmers. She enjoys life on Juist to the fullest: "In the summer, I go to the beach – even though I rarely manage it – and in the winter, I go to the mountains to ski. It's a great balance ." Incidentally, her brother is also a baker , but his business – without competing with the family – is located on Langeoog.

On the high seas: the prospective ship mechanic Celina Gerdes

"I've always wanted to do something on or near the water . And that's how I came across this apprenticeship," says Celina Gerdes , who is currently completing her training as a ship mechanic at the shipping company AG Ems.

The 21-year-old ensures that vacationers reach the islands safely – she maintains the ferries, oversees the refueling of the ships, and accompanies the AG Ems ferries from Emden to Borkum and Eemshaven. Sometimes she even takes the helm herself. In her free time, the trainee volunteers with the sea rescue service and also performs on-call duty – when an emergency calls, Celina Gerdes is there.

Holiday paradiseThey share the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea, fresh Sea breezes, foaming North Sea waves, a horizon of breathtaking Sunsets and kilometers long Beaches there is seven East Frisian Islands are worth a vacation.

You would like to know more? Further information can be found here.Source: genböck pr / East Frisian Islands GmbHDHB now also digital!Simply click here and register for the digital German Crafts Journal (DHB)!