Women Building California Conference 2010
Organized Labor
Charlene Emmons, Laura Nimr, and Kelly Ramirez, Iron Workers Local 378
Charlene
It's hard work, but I love it. It is something I feel very proud of doing, and it's good money and benefits. You go home feeling great. You don't need to work out in a gym afterwards, that's for sure. I wouldn't do anything else. And the guys give me a lot of respect.
What would it take to get more women in the trades?
They need to send recruiters to places like battered women's shelters, welfare-to-work programs, high schools job corps, and a lot of places where there are single moms. I think a lot of women are intimidated because it's a man's field. There are a lot more men, and it's a hard trade. But it doesn't take a college education. It just takes strength and determination and a good sense of work ethics.
Laura
I've been an iron worker for 26 years. It was very difficult when I first got in. The number of women in the trade hasn't changed too much, but the attitude has. Men actually treat women a little better than they used to. There is more awareness now. But it's still really hard. Some guys don't really want you there.
I always wanted to be in the trades. I like competing with the guys. I do rebar, which is very hard work, but once your body is in shape, it's the mental part that is the hardest .But it's difficult competing against the younger ones. You've been doing it longer, but they are way fitter. That's why I go to the gym every day to keep it up. I'm in a band and write protest songs in Spanish. My mom was a peace activist.
Kelly, Apprentice
What would it take to get more women in the trades?
All they have to do is see my lifestyle. I don't live high on the hog, but I live comfortably. I'm having so much fun at the conference. Listening to my older sisters and hearing about what they've experienced. I look up to them.