This May, we are thrilled to highlight the remarkable achievements of two exceptional women recently receiving the North America's Building Trades Union (NABTU) Tradeswomen Heroes Award. This award, a joint effort between NABTU’s Tradeswomen’s Committee and Apprenticeship and Training Committee, celebrates the tremendous contributions of women within their affiliate unions and recognizes their outstanding work in the construction industry.
May's Tradeswomen Heroes Award recipients, Margaret Russell and Hannah Wilson, embody the spirit of excellence, perseverance, and dedication this award represents. Margaret, a first-year pipefitter apprentice with Steamfitters Local 602 in the Washington, DC, area, embarked on her apprenticeship journey in August 2022. Before joining the program, Margaret worked as a helper with one of the region's largest HVAC contractors. Her transition into the pipefitting trade has been exceptional, and her commitment to her craft has earned her this well-deserved recognition.
Hannah Wilson, on the other hand, is currently in her fourth year as an electrical apprentice with IBEW Local 1547 in Anchorage, Alaska. Hannah's career path took a unique turn as she transitioned from working as a clinical and veterinary technician to pursuing a career as a wireman. Her eye for detail and precision and her passion for hands-on work have propelled her to excel in her trade. Hannah's dedication and unwavering work ethic have made her a deserving recipient of the Tradeswomen Heroes Award.
These success stories not only highlight the exceptional achievements of Margaret and Hannah but also signify a significant shift in the representation of women within the construction industry. With initiatives like the NABTU Tradeswomen Heroes Award, we are celebrating and recognizing the invaluable contributions of women in traditionally male-dominated fields. We are creating a more diverse and inclusive industry through the dedication and talent of tradeswomen like Margaret and Hannah. Moreover, we are delighted to acknowledge the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOLs) Scaling Apprenticeship Readiness Across the Building Trades initiative. This $20 million cooperative agreement demonstrates the DOL's commitment to advancing equitable opportunities in construction. By enrolling over 13,000 participants in apprenticeship readiness programs and aiming to place at least 7,000 individuals into construction RAPs, this initiative further supports the growth and representation of women in the industry.
These success stories and DOL's commitment to expanding apprenticeship opportunities exemplify our collective efforts to create a more inclusive and diverse construction industry. As we continue to celebrate the accomplishments of tradeswomen like Margaret and Hannah, we invite you to join us in recognizing their outstanding achievements that support the ongoing advancement of women in the trades. Review the links below to learn more about the NABTU Tradeswomen Build Nations initiative and the Scaling Apprenticeship Readiness Across the Building Trades initiative.
Publish Date: 11/07/2023