As posted on www.equalrights.org. This is an installment in Tradeswomen Tuesdays.
April is a 43-year-old first term plumbing apprentice for Local 290 in Oregon, and is the ninth Local 290 tradeswoman to be profiled in Tradeswomen Tuesday. Next week will be the last of this special feature by and about the women of Local 290 and will feature the tradeswoman behind this series.
What attracted you to the trade?
Growing up I worked with my dad in his mechanic shop. I have always enjoyed building and working with my hands. I learned to appreciate and enjoy the work I could do with my hands from a young age.
Over two years ago, while working at Intel, I met a journeyman welder working on the Intel campus who has been in the union for over 25 years. With most of his family in the union, he proudly advocates for it. He sat down with me and explained what the union was about and all the prospects it offers. The next day he gave me the phone number and the address for Local 290. A year later I am a proud plumber apprentice. This opportunity has given me the chance to build things again and see the finished project. Thanks to this union welder who took his own time to promote and encourage me, I was able to take the steps to join an incredible union of people and family. This welder has now became my best friend and a mentor.
What you enjoy the most about the trade?
What I enjoy the most about the trade is the fact that I know that each and every day when I wake up, it will never be the same as the day before. I will be learning something different every day, even if it is on the same job site. I will benefit from Journeymen and other apprentices offering advice and helping me by explaining the work and maybe even showing me a faster way to do something. So far, I have learned that I need to find a “third arm”, as one Journeyman tells me, and learn to work on my own in a more efficient and productive way. I have also learned that there is a solution to every problem if you take the time (not too long) to find a solution. And I know that I can always go to the hall and there are people there that will listen and give me advice. I can take classes and learn how at better myself as an apprentice and as a tradeswoman
What challenges have you faced and /or overcome?
One challenge that I have found is that I am not as knowledgeable in the plumbing field as some of my other co-workers or my peers. I have also found that I am not as physically strong (yet!) as some of my co-workers. I am working on it. I have to keep building strength both physically and mentally.
I have also noticed that there are people out there that will work just as hard to kick me out of the trade as there are those who welcome and encourage me to never give up, never let anyone see me cry, and those who will fight along with me when I refuse to give up. I am the type of person that if somebody tells me I can’t, then I will do it just to show you that I can. I am determined to overcome any obstacle in my way.
What your vision for the future of women in trades?
I hope that in the future that more women who like to work with their hands will come into the trades. That they, like me will enjoy the physical aspect of working in the construction field, and will join all of my sisters and I in the trade to help build the world in any way they can. I hope they will encourage their children, grandchildren and other women or girls to see that there is a place in the construction world for them too.
– Written by Francoise Jacobson