2025 TRADES WOMEN BUILD NATIONS CHICAGO

Chicago September 19-21, 2025. This weekend over 5,000 tradeswomen alongside their allies, and top labor government, and industry leaders from across North America gathered in Chicago’s McCormick Place West, for the 15^th Annual Trades Women Build Nations (TWBN) Conference, the largest global event of its kind. global event of its kind. Here we have a picture of Local 12 admin Natalie Santacruz on the left and retiree Debra Vasquez on the right who has 38 years of service, and she now works for Tadeswomen Inc. they are holding the Local 12 banner during the Trades Woman Build Nation banner parade in the streets of Chicago, where 6,000 attendees hit the streets to show the movement of women in our Building and Construction Trades.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker was the guest of honor, and he discusses the States efforts to expand opportunities for women in the trades, including vocational training and apprenticeship programs. Illinois Works program provides support for women in the trades, including childcare, transportation, and housing assistance. The Governor emphasizes the importance of protecting workers’ rights and ensuring safe job sites, highlighting the States’ efforts to pass working protection laws.

The conference concluded with focus on the importance of supporting and empowering women in the trades and recognizing their contribution. This movement is very powerful, we are glad that Local 12 showed up in support of this movement and to show support to our women of Local 12, and District Council 16.