- Annual Conference Sets Attendance Record
Members of IBEW Local 6 attend the fourth annual Women Building California and the Nation Conference in Sacramento
The fourth annual nationwide Women Building California and the Nation Conference, held in Sacramento from April 25 to 27, attracted a record number of women from around the country this year – up 40 percent over last year with 870 attendees. The event, hosted by the State Building and Construction Trades Council, included workshops, speakers and networking opportunities for women in the building trades. Speakers included Rita Magner, a member of SMART Local 104 and President of Tradeswomen, Inc.; State Senator Holly Mitchell; and Kristi Tuemmler, Operating Engineers Local 3. “It’s a very lonely job for women who want to do this work, so having this conference, it shows them that they’re not alone,” said conference coordinator Debra Chaplan.
Voices from the Women Building California and the Nation Conference
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Members of IBEW Local 6 attend the fourth annual Women Building California and the Nation Conference in Sacramento
“This conference means to me that I get rejuvenated, I get renewed, I get new inspiration by seeing how many women are in the same predicament that I am in, who have the same challenges, who overcome like I do and it’s inspiring and it gives me a jolt that keeps me going.”
– Chantel Lewis
IBEW Local 6
“This is my first time here at the women’s conference. I am trying to find out what trade would be great for me.”
– Roberta Marinero
San Francisco Conservation Corps
“This is amazing, meeting women who have been in here for years above me and I hope to follow in their footsteps.”
– Rosie Kimmel
Ironworkers Local 377
“This year at the conference I learned that the future is bright, and the future is really bright for women in the Building Trades.”
– Joann Avila
Painters Local 913
“This is a great opportunity for us women to get together to network, see what’s available out there as far as moving out if we choose to, and see how each other maneuvers throughout the trades. It’s just to know that we have fellow sisters out here who are doing the same thing that we are doing and speaking with them to find out whether or not, how do they navigate throughout the many obstacles that we have as women in the trades. It’s great.”
– Diahanna Christy
Ironworkers Local 377
