Mother-Daughter Duo Take DIY to the Next Level
Mother-daughter duo Miyahna and Ramiah Cook are taking do-it-yourself to the next level. When
Ramiah was considering her future plans, she knew she had an interest in interior design after her family’s recent home remodel. Her mother, Miyahna, proposed that she go to school to learn the basics of the construction behind the interior design, but she also had another proposal: that her mother do it with her.
At first, Ramiah was apprehensive. “When she told me that
she would do it, I’m like, ‘You sure?’ because I have a little brother that she
had to take care of and all that.” Turns out, the experience was beneficial for
both of them. Whether it was studying for tests, providing encouragement to one
another, or taking turns driving – although Ramiah admits she much prefers when
her mom drives – the pair made the best of their time together.
Miyahna and Ramiah also had the opportunity to put their skills to the test at the Arkansas SkillsUSA competition earlier this year. While neither of them admitted it at the time, they agreed to participate to support the other, feeling that they were not ready to compete against other masons and carpenters. At the end of the day, mother and daughter both took home gold, Miyahna in carpentry and Ramiah in masonry. “It was good to watch her compete and watch her win,” Ramiah said about her mother. “And watch her do that and not give up.”
As women in construction, Miyahna stressed the importance of her daughter feeling empowered: “I feel like as women, there’s nothing that we cannot do. That’s one thing I want, as a mother, I want her to understand that really the sky’s the limit.” While the two have not completed any projects together yet, they have several in mind. Miyahna also plans to involve her son, teaching him the skills she and Ramiah learned. Building a strong foundation really does begin at home.
