Trades Women Build Nations 913 Member First Hand Experience

Hosted by the North American Building Trades Unions, Trades Women Build Nations is the largest gathering of women in construction in the world. Year after year, every fall the conferences grow bigger than the one before and this year was no different with over 6000 participants converging in Houston Texas, the second weekend of October. This year’s theme was “Breaking Barriers, Expanding Horizons”. 

Painters Local 913 has been attending TWBN since it started in 2011, giving a wide variety of our members the opportunity to experience what the conference has to offer. From new female apprentices getting to see so many other women doing nontraditionally female jobs and changing their mindsets on what is possible, men getting an eye-opening experience by attending workshops and hearing from women, what women go through on a daily basis on the job site, and the long time seasoned journeywomen sharing their stories and mentoring the newcomers. This year the local sent two TWBN veterans to Houston and this is what they had to share with us. 

Lajeana Thompson:

1. What made you decide to attend TWBN?

“I wanted to connect with other tradeswomen, build sisterhood, empower women, and advocate for equal opportunities in the trades.”

2. Have you attended in the past?

“I have been attending TWBN conferences since 2011.”

3. What is the biggest myth or misconceptions people still have about women in the trades?

“That women aren’t as capable, skilled or physically strong as men. Women have proven that we belong in the trades and deserve equal opportunities and respect!”

4. What did you take away from this year’s conference?

“I left feeling empowered, inspired and reminded of the importance of knowing my worth, advocating for myself, and standing in solidarity with other tradeswomen.”

5. In what way is your union supporting women on the jobsite? What changes would you like to see?

“My union supports women’s participation in conferences like TWBN and other events. However, I’d like to see stronger mentorship, accountability, fair treatment, more women in leadership, and better protections for women who advocate for themselves. “

6. What is a project you’ve worked on that you proudly say, “ I helped build that.”?

“I’m proud to have worked on San Francisco’s iconic One Ricon Hill, City Colleges Mission Campus on Valencia and especially proud of a public housing development where I once lived before becoming a professional painter. It is rewarding to know I have helped build and improve communities that are part of my own story!”

Shantel Rhodes:

1.  What Made you decide to attend TWBN?

“I decided to join TWBN because every year I see more women get into the trade. We had 6000+ women at the conference this year and everything turned out to be beautiful. “

2. Have you attended in the past?

“I have been attending the conference meeting for about 12 years now and its been a very good experience for me to interact with different women from around the states. “

3. What is the biggest myth or misconceptions people still have about women in the trades?

“I feel the biggest myth we have as women being in the trades is we are not as capable as the men and not expected to get the work done correctly. “

4. What did you take away from this year’s conference?

“This year’s conference taught me about the empowerment of the union and the amount of gratitude us women bring together as one in the trades. Learning about the different experiences from one to another. “

7. In what way is your union supporting women on the jobsite? What changes would you like to see?

“I feel we need childcare for the new members that are coming into Local 913.”

8. What is a project you’ve worked on that you proudly say, “I helped build that.”?

“I have done many painting projects around San Francisco; The Southeast Community Center, Police Crime Lab, and housing projects.”

One thing that never changes year after year at the conference is a sense of unity and togetherness.  People from across North America, coming together to share their stories and advance the trades for Everyone. Having personally attended this conference multiple times, I  gain a new perspective at each one and I encourage anyone who is part of the trades to attend, it is a truly eye opening experience. Next year’s conference will be held in Kansas City, Missouri.