Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-09-06
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

Chicago Women in Trades adding members through outreach efforts
by Carrie Maxwell, Windy City Times
2018-09-12

This article shared 2995 times since Wed Sep 12, 2018
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


Chicago Women in Trades ( CWIT ) volunteer and Local 130 third year apprentice plumber Liz Albertson did not know she was on the cusp of starting something new when she brought her snare drum to the Women's March on Washington, D.C. on Jan. 21, 2017.

Albertson's goal that day was to keep CWIT members together by playing her snare drum and making some noise for the organization and other pro-labor groups and women in construction amidst all the other marchers.

"Seeing the amazing all-women Afro-Brazilian percussion band Batala from Washington, D.C., take over the streets made me think CWIT should start a drumline," said Albertson. "We were in awe of the group's dynamics and how they were able to move throughout the crowd with such strength."

As the group was traveling back to Chicago from the Women's March, they started formulating their plans for the CWIT Drumline, and now there are 15 members. They include both CWIT staff members and tradeswomen—bricklayers, carpenters, electricians, pipefitters, plumbers and welders.

The Drumline has been marching at a variety of events over the past 18 months, including the 2017 incarnations of the Tax Day Protest, Women Build Nations and the Tenth Ward Labor Day Parade; the May Day March in 2017 and 2018; and the Chicago Women's March in January 2018 and Chicago's Pride Parade this past June.

"The primary focus of the Drumline is to bring attention to CWIT at these events and get more women interested in signing up for our free programs," said Albertson. "We showcase the sisterhood that exists among ourselves and show that these careers are possible for women to pursue."

Albertson said the Drumline also offers a fun and stress-relieving activity since their jobs are very physically, emotionally and intellectually demanding.

"Practices are held at CWIT so visiting tradeswomen or newcomers are able to see how much fun the group is having together," said Albertson.

"It is really fun and amazing to play music with my trade sisters while also supporting an organization near and dear to all of our hearts," said Local 1027 apprentice carpenter Ebba Schmid. "When the crowds see us in high-visibility vests and hard hats at rallies and parades playing the drums they enthusiastically cheer us on."

"CWIT opened so many doors for me and showed me that my dream of becoming a union carpenter was totally possible," said Local 1027 apprentice carpenter Alissa Roush. "I joined the Drumline because it is a lot of fun and I love representing CWIT and challenging people's ideas of what a trades worker looks like."

"CWIT has done so much for everyone in the Drumline," said Albertson. "We are tradeswomen who work hard every day and thrive in a male-dominated industry. We got here because of CWIT's support and our other union sisters. We want to make some noise for that with the Drumline."

Founded in 1981, CWIT's aim has been to increase the number of tradeswomen by recruiting, retaining and building leadership in an industry that has been traditionally held by men. CWIT does this by providing support, advocacy and educational opportunities as well as assistance to employers, unions and other industry stakeholders. The organization also documents workforce trends and advocates politically so women in the trades have equal access to these jobs.

"CWIT's new motto is 'Build A Career. Join A Sisterhood,'" said CWIT Marketing and Communications Director Sharon Latson-Flemister. "The organization exists to improve women's economic equity by increasing their participation in high-skilled, well-paid, blue-collar occupations."

Albertson said many women have gotten into the trades through CWIT's Technical Opportunities Program or Welding Program.

CWIT will hold its Technical Opportunities Program class for the fall starting in October. The Welding Program takes rolling admissions and every Wednesday CWIT holds mini-information sessions at the organization's headquarters, at 2444 W. 16th Street, Suite 3E.

The Drumline marched with CWIT at this year's Tenth Ward Labor Day Parade Sept. 3. CWIT participated in the Bud Billiken Parade Aug. 11 and was part of the 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade Sept. 9.

"If you or someone you know wants to change careers for a great paying job with some of the best benefits offered, while learning life-long skills, CWIT is the stepping stone to get you there," said Albertson.

See chicagowomenintrades2.org/ for more information .


This article shared 2995 times since Wed Sep 12, 2018
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

Mets honor lesbian baseball icon Maybelle Blair
2023-09-16
On Sept. 14 at NYC's Citi Field, the New York Mets recognized the life work of lesbian baseball pioneer Maybelle Blair, 96, with the inaugural Amazin' Mets Foundation Legacy Award, according to a Major League Baseball ...


Gay News

Marge Summit's life to be celebrated Oct. 15
2023-09-15
--From a press release - A celebration of the extraordinary life of Marge Summit, the legendary Chicago bar owner, promoter of live music artists, political advocate and much more who passed away on May 16, 2023. Born Sept. 3, 1935 in ...


Gay News

WORLD Quebec lesbians, violence study, Rugby World Cup, Ugandan bill
2023-09-15
The hidden history of Quebec lesbians is being explored, the CBC reported. Between 1985 and 1996, a group of lesbians leased the Plateau-Mont-Royal school and ran it as a community center. The school was also home ...


Gay News

NATIONAL Lesbian politician, Nancy Pelosi, bomb threat, politician dies, Lyft
2023-09-15
Kathy Kozachenko—the first out politician elected to public office in the country—will be honored with a statue on the 50th anniversary of her historic election, per The Advocate. The city of Ann Arbor, Michigan, will honor ...


Gay News

Dykes to Watch Out For Audible series returns listeners to the '80s
2023-09-08
By Ro White - From 1983-2008, Alison Bechdel's comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For captured the drama and hilarity of lesbian life. Now it's been adapted into an Audible Original series that draws parallels between the queer past and ...


Gay News

Laura Ricketts talks about Chicago Red Stars deal, investor group, coming out
2023-09-04
On Aug. 1, a group of investors led by lesbian Chicago Cubs co-owner/Chicago Sky minority owner Laura Ricketts announced that they had officially took ownership of the Chicago Red Stars National Women's Soccer League franchise. The ...


Gay News

Laura Ricketts-led group of diverse investors buys Chicago Red Stars in $60 million deal
2023-09-01
From an Sept. 1 press release: A diverse investor group led by Laura Ricketts and prominent Chicago women business and civic leaders has officially taken ownership of the Chicago Red Stars National Women's Soccer League ...


Gay News

Rapinoe's last international match to take place in Chicago on Sept. 24
2023-08-31
Lesbian soccer icon and two-time Women's World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe will play her last professional match against South Africa on Sunday, Sept. 24, in Chicago, U.S. Soccer announced. The match (scheduled for 4:30 p.m. CT) ...


Gay News

Brave Space Alliance holds Post Pride Mixer
2023-08-30
On Aug. 27, Brave Space Alliance held its Post Pride Mixer at popular lesbian-owned bar Nobody's Darling. The social gathering celebrated past accomplishments while looking forward to new horizons for both the service organization and the ...


Gay News

Sharon Zurek among Chicago Filmmakers' 'Big Shoulders Award' honorees
2023-08-24
--From a press release - (CHICAGO, IL) Chicago Filmmakers proudly announces the recipients of their "Big Shoulders Awards" to be presented during Chicago Filmmakers' Golden Anniversary Celebration and Awards Reception. This special event takes place ...


Gay News

'A League of Their Own' cancelled; second season not filming
2023-08-19
Prime Video is not moving forward with the previously ordered second and final season of comedy-drama A League of Their Own, which is about a WWII-era women's professional baseball team, according to Deadline. The show's fate ...


Gay News

Chicago Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts to purchase Red Stars
2023-08-16
An investor group headed by out lesbian Chicago Cubs co-owner/Chicago Sky minority owner Laura Ricketts reached an agreement to purchase the NWSL's Chicago Red Stars, according to ...


Gay News

Amigas Latinas Forever and queer Gage Park art exhibits open at Chicago Art Department
2023-08-12
Amigas Latinas Forever, an art exhibit exploring this important Chicago organization (1995-2015), opened Aug. 11 at the Chicago Art Department, 1932 S. Halsted St. An additional exhibit, En El Abismo, Me Encontre by the Gage Park ...


Gay News

New HRC data: LGBTQ+ youth still lack critical support and acceptance
2023-08-10
From a press release: WASHINGTON—The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, released a report in partnership with the ...


Gay News

PASSAGES: Former OPALGA+ board member, editor JoAnn Ziebarth
2023-08-10
Former Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association (OPALGA+) board member and editor JoAnn Ziebarth died July 18 after suffering a bad fall. She was 67. Ziebarth was born Dec. 27, 1955, in DeKalb, where ...


 


Copyright © 2023 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives. Single copies of back issues in print form are
available for $4 per issue, older than one month for $6 if available,
by check to the mailing address listed below.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.
All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transegender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.