[LOCAL] NEWS
by Alana Bonillo
AASP/MA’s Nadine Nesbitt is One of The Strong Ones AASP/MA’s very own Nadine Nesbitt is quite a powerhouse. If you own a body shop in Massachusetts, you likely have interacted with Nesbitt, who is known throughout the auto body community as assistant to AASP/ MA Executive Director Evangelos “Lucky” Papageorg. But chances are you didn’t know that she was one of a select group of civilian women who were part of a US Army Women’s Strength Study in Natick more than two decades ago that tested the physical power of women in order to prove that they can be just as strong as men. Nesbitt and others proved this true and then some. Her story will be featured in the book The Strong Ones: How a Band of Civilian Women Made Their Mark on the Army by best-selling author and fellow study participant Sara Hammel. The book, which will be released this month and can be pre-
12 February 2021
ordered via Amazon, explores the unique study in the wake of its 25th anniversary. It was luck that led Nesbitt to this opportunity. She first learned of the study via a newspaper article about scientists who wanted to determine if women could do the same physical tasks as their male counterparts through proper training. “It fascinated me. I thought, ‘Of course, it’d be true with proper training.’ They were looking for civilians to volunteer. I was over the age limit, but I applied. I didn’t hear back at first, but I guess they didn’t have enough of a response, because they adjusted the age limit and called me in.” From there, Nesbitt entered into an intense daily 90-minute challenge that went on for seven months. “It was more amazing than I ever expected. Of course, we proved that we can
New England Automotive Report
Nadine Nesbitt (far left) on the cover of the upcoming book The Strong Ones accomplish the same tasks as men, but we realized that what was even stronger was our commitment to the workout. Because we were all together, we were able to help each other. That collaboration and that encouragement was over the top.” Nesbitt completed strength tests, including running two miles through the woods dragging a trailer loaded with continued on pg. 39
