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Meet the 'Excavator Empress': Pink Power in Construction

12/30/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Zhang, a 35-year-old excavator operator from Heze, Shandong, is known as the "Excavator Empress" for piloting a pink, Hello Kitty–decorated excavator.
She began operating excavators in 2019, initially feeling forced into the role.
She has about 23,000 online followers.
Zhang says the pink design reflects her love of femininity on the job.

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Story summary

Zhang, a 35-year-old excavator operator from Heze, Shandong, is known as the "Excavator Empress" for piloting a pink, Hello Kitty–decorated excavator.
She began operating excavators in 2019, initially feeling forced into the role.
She has about 23,000 online followers.
Zhang says the pink design reflects her love of femininity on the job.