Women and tools — in the literal sense

Ladies can mount their own shelves, thank you very much.

These days, home repairs and construction are part of a woman’s domain. In addition to a rising number of single female homebuyers, the recession has prompted people to save money by performing home upkeep themselves.

In fact, DIY Network just announced that the winner of their “Stud Finder 2009” contest — a search for America’s next home improvement star — is Kayleen McCabe, their first female champ. “I hope that  women will watch my show and realize that with a little effort they can do it, too,” says the 29-year-old, who remodeled her first kitchen at age 20.

The Denver native is “ecstatic” to represent the industry: “Females should really get involved. There is so much room for women in this kind of work.”