In 1995, at the Beijing Fourth World Conference on Women, three United States-based female construction workers—commonly known as “tradeswomen” in the west– proposed and facilitated a workshop for women working in the construction sector. The workshop was in a very small room and the organizers expected a handful of women to show up. Over 60 women from India, Pakistan, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Japan, the United States, Denmark and England came to the workshop and participated in the first-ever international discussion of work and working conditions by women in construction. The event was documented in the 2006 film Transnational Tradeswomen. Many things were talked about that day. Decades later those who participated remember one revelation as the most remarkable. Women from developed economies described systematic exclusion from good paying careers in a male-dominated industry. Women from developing economies described being relegated to the most menial, backbreaking and dangerous work within the same industry. One participant summarized the feelings in the workshop as, “In the North they say we are not strong enough; in the South they say we are not smart enough.” Tradeswomen Building Bridges grows out of the sharing that happened that day in 1995. As the construction industry has become global, women who work in the industry need their own global platform to have their voices heard. Although working conditions for women vary widely, exploitation of women and ineffective government intervention are constants in the global construction sector. We are committed to helping build a global network of women working in construction.
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Covid-19 has caused us to shift our focus toward building #internationalsolidarity virtually. Over the past year, we have held many training exchanges with #tradeswomen organizations around the world.We are excited to announce that Tradeswomen Building Bridges will be partnering with the #tradeswomentaskforce and @cuny_slu for a #virtualevent on November 21st!The hardest worker on the job. 💪🐘Our 2019 delegation rocking their #buildtogether shirts from @tradieladiesofbc . The organization sponsored two of our #canadian delegates. Cofounder @prairie.fruit.bat is the chair of @build.together.sk . It is an amazing organization that supports tradeswomen across Canada and abroad!No matter what you do, do it with pride!Founders Monday! Kelly McClellen is a 24-year member of @operatingengineers Local 101 out of #kansascity
I’m following your blog!
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Susan I just read your proposal, you certainly have taken a large ‘bite’ of work. I look forward to reading as you systematically report on your successes.
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Thanks Barb. I had a fun time at lunch and hope to see you once more before I leave!
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