Our Vision: We elevate tradeswomen: women as equal and construction trades as honorable work. Our Mission: Build the North American representation in the global network of tradeswomen advocating for themselves.
This week, TBB brought 12 delegates to Manila, Philippines for a training exchange. We provided carpentry and plumbing skills training to our Filapina sisters and they are providing training in community organizing. This is the furthest from North America that our organization has ever traveled. What attracted us to this location is the incredible work of the Association of Women Workers in the Construction Industry (AWWCI).
AWWCI was formally established in 2004. It is composed of skilled women workers e.g. painters, carpenters, masonries, and welders from different parts of National Capital Region (NCR), Caloocan, Manila, Taguig, Mandaluyong, Quezon City and nearby Bulacan.
The group aims to recognize and empower all women workers in the construction industry while raising awareness. They promote and defend workers’ dignity, respect for human rights, general welfare, security, and well being of workers. AWWCI develops skills training and recognizes women’s participation in the field of construction through social protection, social justice, equality and gender perspective. They promote and defend workers’ rights, especially the rights to self-organization and collective bargaining.
Many of the issues that are prevalent in the construction industry of the United States and Canada are prevalent in the Philippines. Women here deal with discriminatory practices regarding employment and benefits while constantly coming up against the “macho” culture on the jobsite. Women are often put in a more vulnerable position due to limited access to resources for building up working womens’ needs and welfare, the stereotype of women’s work in the home, lack of opportunity (specifically skills training in the construction trades), lack of political participation within their unions, and the disproportionate effect of the pandemic on working women’s ability to participate in the workforce during covid.
To address these issues, AWWCI offers gender sensitivity training, organizer training, leadership training, train-the-trainer training, facilitator training, health and safety training, advocacy and campaign training, as well as legal services.
The organization was behind successful policy changes in the Philippines that greatly impacted women workers. This included the Expanded Maternity Leave Law, Safe Spaces Law, Reproductive Health Law, the Anti-Discrimination Law, the Anti Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004, the Philippines Magna Carta for Women and the Magna Carta for the informal sector.
AWWCI is currently working on a global campaign to end gender based violence inside and outside of the workplace, as well as a campaign around the Philipino war on drugs and the negative impact it has had on women.
They helped push the Philippines to sign onto the The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Convention 190, also known as the Violence and Harassment Convention, which is the first global treaty to end violence and harassment in the workplace.
For the next three days, AWWCI will provide our North American delegates with community organizing training at their Office in Quezon City. Advocates will be presenting on topics such as leadership, community organizing, workers rights based on international law, unionism, coalition work, and gender roles. The hope is that our delegates will leave feeling inspired, and bring home the lessons they learn so that they can make a difference in their communities.
By Diana Limon and Myra Hildreth IBEW Local Union 11
I (Myra) was excited to learn that Tradeswomen Building Bridges was sending delegates to the Philippines. I was even more excited to find out I had been invited and would represent IBEW Local 11 as a delegate. Because of our Local Union, I could participate in a learning exchange with my Filipino sisters.
Growing up in the Philippines is the same as everywhere else. It just depends on your family. But mainly, we have strong family ties. People are willing to share what they have, even if they don’t have that much. For many people, growing up in the Philippines means the possibility of being exposed to both poverty and wealth at the same time. I migrated to the USA at 18 through my father’s petition. I started my electrical apprenticeship at the age of 20 and finished as a Journeyman Inside Wireman Electrician at the age of 25. Returning to the Philippines can feel sentimental, exciting and overwhelming.
We (Diana/me and Myra) arrived at the airport at 4:45 a.m. on a Saturday to a fairly empty airport which was no indication of what we were to find outside the airport. Myra’s family greeted us with a 12-passenger van which was the beginning of a culinary festival for the weekend. As we drove to her cousin’s storefront in Cabanatuan City, we saw rice fields and kalabaw (water buffalos). Upon arrival, we were greeted with lunch which consisted of lechon kawali (pork), hipon sinigang (shrimp soup), white rice, and Mang Tomas sauce. Several bottles of Coca Cola and pineapple juice with ice sat on the large communal table. The family bond was present through the shared experience of food together.
After lunch, we drove to a nearby resort with the family and more food arrived. There were humungous plates of pancit bihon (glass noodles) and spaghetti, enough to serve at least 30 people. After a 15-hour flight, we crashed early only to learn that more food had arrived as we slept. The delivered food included the local delicacy of longganisa (pork sausage with garlic). There was also fried egg plant, okra and Mary Grace mamon bread for dessert, which we both didn’t even try from being so full and asleep. Myra managed to wake up at 2:30 a.m. to try the longganisa!
The next morning, we checked out and went back to her cousin’s storefront for a breakfast feast of leftover longganisa and pork adobo with hard-boiled eggs. We then headed back to Quezon City to meet with TBB delegates for dinner at Gubat QC restaurant. At Gubat, we ate on banana leaves with no utensils and with our hands. I had the Hipon (shrimp) with white rice, and Myra had fried chicken with rice.
Every single day thus far, has been filled with more adventurous food choices. The logistics team had the challenge of finding lunch on day 1 for 35 people. We crossed the street from the training center and found local food stands. We decided on Angel’s Big Tummy and gave everyone two choices between beef nilaga (beef soup), chicken curry, chicken adobo, monggo soup, and laing (creamy vegetable). As is typical in Manila, all the plates come with white rice as a main staple. We patiently waited for two hours for our 35-plate lunches. While we waited, we bought and tried 3 medium-sized pineapples from a local cart vendor.
On day 4, we became riskier by trying street food with the traditional fried kwek kwek (quail eggs) and fish balls with vinegar. We ate some and shared some with TBB delegates and eventually had to go back on a paint pick up run and stopped for more fishballs! We also had lakatan (small bananas) for snacks. On the last day of skills training with the Filipinas, one member brought Myra the best pancit and palabok (peanut sauce noodle with egg and crushed peanuts). While we are halfway through our trip, we are determined to try the best of Manila food before we leave. The Filipino culture and pride is without a doubt represented in their food!
Today marked the conclusion of our weeklong community skills training in Quezon City. Our instructors Doreen Cannon and Kristine Byers developed the curriculum and provided instruction around basic plumbing and carpentry skills.
The other delegates provided support during the hands-on learning experience.
Over the past few days, participants built a bathroom shelf with a towel rack as a way to practice what they learned. These ladies demonstrated measuring and marking skills. They were able to practice cutting, clamping, layout, alignment, fastening and use of basic hand tools.
The towel rack on the bottom of the project provided them with an opportunity to practice finding pitch on pipes, using nuts and bolts, as well as working with threaded pipe connections.
Students also painted their projects and created crafts using scrap wood.
We finished the training with a group reflection. Many of the ladies expressed excitement about what they learned, and a boost to their self-confidence.
We finished the training with a graduation ceremony and celebration. Next week the delegates will be shifting from teacher to student as we begin to learn about the community and gain organizing skills.
Before Mt Pinatubo erupted in 1991, Clark Airbase in Pampanga was my home for 2 years. Of all my assignments in the Air Force, this was by far my favorite.
When I learned that TBB was sending delegates to the Philippines, I was very excited and put my application in right away. I was beyond thrilled to be asked to join the delegation.
My memories of my time in the Philippines are some of my fondest. And the food is so delicious.
I remember the Filipinos as the kindest, most generous, hardest working people I have ever met. That has not changed. Everyone I have met on this trip still shows these same qualities. And the food is still delicious !
While the people have not changed, some things definitely have. All for the better.
It’s nice to have reliable electricity. There were many ‘brown outs’ when I was here before. They have upgraded their power grid so there is consistent power to remote places.
With more electricity you have more water treatment plants, more refrigeration and more air conditioning.
When I was here before, rarely did we get cold drinks. We hardly ever had fresh water on ice but now it is plentiful. And you can buy ice cream at the sari-sari stores! There is also enough reliable electricity for water heaters in the showers.
A shower at my hotel equipped with an on-demand water heater. We always had hot showers this time around!
And I am very thankful that they have enough power now to run the air con. It’s hot here!
I have enjoyed this trip down memory lane and am thankful to TBB and IBEW local 481 for allowing me this opportunity!
I am thankful to be able to give back to the people that were so kind to me when I was stationed here.
The Philippines is a place where one can walk off a busy street in Manila and end up in an alleyway full of hundreds of small family owned and operated stores that sell just about anything you could ever want or need.
Being a group of tradeswomen who embarked on a Delegation in Quezon City to teach basic carpentry and plumbing skills, unable to bring much for material from our former countries, we were faced with the overwhelmingly and exciting task of collecting everything we would need to host a trade skills learning week upon arrival in Quezon City.
The first adventure to the markets were experienced by a small group of our delegation who were fortunate to meet a local guy named Nicko. His family owns a small store front along the street in Raon Shopping Centre. The shopping centre is huge! On the first street that the jeepney drops you off, you will find a row of electronic and stereo repair stops. Loose wires, cables and speakers hanging off ceilings on in display in every angle. As you make your way down the street, the shops appear to be selling more items used for electrical construction, like wire strippers, conduit benders, and a variety of hand tools. Eventually you end up at a fork and there is Nickos’ families stand. Smiley young 28 year old filipino guy with blonde frosted hair and looking eager to help a bunch of lost looking foreigners.
On our return to the Raon Shopping Centre, Lori, Cassy, Rachel and myself (Casey) find ourselves lost on this street, bargaining for speeds quares, 1/4 inch drill bits, and on the hunt for wood screws. Lori who has already been to Raon Street knows the way. She recognizes the shop that offered the first group a terrible price on some C- clamps, and so we carry on. We finally find a young guy, not Nicko, but at the same time very eager to help us! We show him some pictures off our phones of the items we are looking for. He starts pulling drill bits out of corners of his store, brings us box cutting knife blades and philips heads driver bits. When we tell him we need a couple speed squares, he takes one look at the picture on my phone, says he will be right back and takes off into the abyss of crowds, cats and vendors. After around 10 minutes he comes running back, panting and out of breath, carrying two brand new speed squares in a plastic bag. Clearly he has gone above and beyond for us, bargained for them with another local vendor to resell them to us at a different price. Perfect! We take what we can find and get going.
Out of pure luck, Lori spots Nicko’s stall, and we run over and ask his family if Nicko is around. Same spot, same blonde hair and big glasses. He remembers her instantly when he arrives and insists on taking us to Screw Street.
A few long alley ways, past a couple cats and rats along the way, and a lot of attention on Nicko from all the locals as he leads four foreign women through the back streets to screw street, we finally make it! Unfortunately we quickly learn that this street closes from 12:30 to 1:30 for families to enjoy lunch. We almost turn around and head back, but not before an older gentleman waves us over from down the street and tells us that his stomach is rumbling but he will fulfill our order of 600 finishing nails, 160 bolts, washers and 300 wood screws. We hand him over the cash and get out of there.
We hop in a taxi, fight the Quezon City traffic back to the training centre, and get back just in time for our own lunch, which has been sitting on the counter for an hour but still tastes pretty good!
Today marked the official start of our 2024 delegation to the Philippines, and we kicked things off by jumping right in with the skills training.
The day started with welcoming remarks from Ms. Carmel C. Tordesillas, the Supervising Administrative officer for Quezon City Training and Assessment. We also heard from Co-founder Cassandra Klewicki about TBBs history and mission. Jane Vargas spoke about about the Association of Women Workers in the Construction Industry, and opened the program with a gender awareness training. She delivered an inspirational message and reminded us that AWWCI and TBB have formed this partnership to inspire women to join the construction industry. We will soon be adding a profile of this incredible organization to our delegation updates, so stay tuned.
Next our instructors Doreen Cannon (plumbing) and Kristine Byers (carpentry) began the skills training with tool identification and measurement training. We went over broad plumbing and carpentry concepts and introduced them to the project they will be building.
The Filipina delegates expressed a great deal of excitement about the training. Their backgrounds ranged from stay-at-home mothers and nurses to workers in other trades like welding. They were all interested in gaining technical skills in trades that are unfamiliar to them.
We finished the day by shopping for supplies, then prepping tools and materials for the hands-on portion tomorrow.
This training would not be possible without the hard work of our delegates from all of the countries involved. Our trainings are not only focused on enhancing technical skills, but also on the importance of cultural awareness, fostering connections, and building lasting relationships with our Filipino partners. As we embarked on this journey together, the enthusiasm in the room was palpable, and we were met with eager participants ready to learn and collaborate. When we work together we can accomplish anything. Stay tuned for some personal reflections from our delegates and more exciting updates on our training exchange.
As we approach the start of our 2024 Delegation, we’re excited to introduce the incredible Filipina tradeswomen who have partnered with TBB to bring this event to life. Their expertise, dedication, and passion have been instrumental in making the planning process both seamless and enjoyable. As our North American delegates prepare to embark on this journey, we want to take a moment to highlight the remarkable women whose contributions made it all possible.
“A big part of my life has been in the organization; I have learned a lot. I want to encourage more women to enter construction works, for me not only to learn the skill but also to know more about their own abilities and raise awareness, because there is no gender in all types of work.”
Mheanne Vargas from Philippines, started as a construction house painter, she trained scaffolding and Safety officer, member of AWWCI since 2024.
She is a community leader, organizer, and volunteer facilitator of various community organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Human Resource Development Management (BSBA-HRDM) and is the former Secretary general of the Association of Women Workers in the Construction Industry, and now the current President.
She has extensive experience in the community and has participated in various trainings such as leadership training, gender awareness seminars, trainer’s training, facilitator training, construction health and safety including Hazard Identification Risk Awareness and Control (HIRAC) and Paralegal training for workers. She has also been part of promoting women’s agendas locally and on the national level.
Lucelle Terencio, started training as a construction painter year 2006, 3rd batch in Barangay Escopa Quezon City chapter. She has painted many housing projects in her community. In addition to her part-time business, she has two children. She divides her time between work, family and serving as the current Vice President of the Association of Women Workers in the Construction Industry (AWWCI).
Through training she became more active in advocacy and campaigning against the marginalization of women. She believes that women should be multi-skilled.
Also participated in various women’s campaigns such as Stop Violence Against Women, Environmental Issues, Reproductive health campaigns and became an active volunteer for women and the community. Her husband also supports women’s advocacy and her two children are involved in the community activities.
“It’s very unusual for us women to work in construction, especially here in the Philippines, but AWWCI taught me to be the woman who breaks the stereotypes. That woman can and should have rights to show their skills and work in male dominated industry. I am proud to tell to everyone that I’m working in the construction.”
Patricia Tapas, studied at the Lyceum of the Philippines University-Manila Bachelor of Science in Customs Administration, she is a member of AWWCI, San Jose del monte chapter from the province of Bulacan Philippines. She is a plumber and the current President of the Plumbing Guild.
She stumbled into a skills training program in plumbing. After that, she tried to apply to the company and was immediately accepted, she enjoyed the work and being skilled plumbing, which motivated her to pursue her career in the construction industry. Now, she is a safety officer in a mechanical company.
“Don’t think that construction works are only for men. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Many women have succeeded in the skilled trades, and all women can. All that is needed, is determination, perseverance, and willingness to learn.”
Christine Joy Palit-ang, formally became a member of AWWCI in 2019. She studied at the Philippine Maritime Institute, in the BS Marine Engineering course. It was there that she trained to become a welder. Later advancing to the positions of welding trainer and certified welding inspector. She is currently a teacher at a private training center in a community and the president of the Women Welder’s Guild under the AWWCI.
At first, she only studied welding to enter the ship as a cadet with additional knowledge and requirements, but her talent for welding was discovered, and she was encouraged to become a trainer.
According to CJ, she enjoys welding because of the improvements she sees in herself. She likes when she sees that each weld she makes is getting better.
She also attended Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH), Leadership Training and other programs for women with the help of AWWCI and other allied organizations.
“It’s important not to give up and not be afraid to reach the dreams. Get to know own strengths more. WOMEN POWER!”
Maria Icely Villagracia is a plumber, plumbing trainer, assessor, registrar, and technical expert in plumbing. She works contracting plumbing services for extra money and she includes her unemployed students.
When she joined AWWCI, the women construction group, she became part of various other women’s campaigns and advocacy, cross cutting to other issues like wage increases, benefits, health and safety, maternity leave, and many other women’s issues in the community. She is an elected officer of AWWCI.
The trainings and other activities of the organization help her to be able to handle situations especially involving the women whom she usually teaches. She believes guidance is important to new women entering the field of construction, especially in the Philippines where there are high rates of discrimination and bias within the workplace.
Jane Vargas is a women and workers advocate, Construction Safety Officer, Community Development, Organizer, Union leader, Co-founder and coordinator of the Association of Women Workers in the Construction Industry (AWWCI)
She started organizing youth and women in the community at the age of 16. She has organized company based and community-based workers for a variety of organizations.
Throughout her career, Jane became part of women’s campaigns, led mobilizations, and volunteered for a long time in non governmental organizations (NGOs), peoples organizations (PO) and other sectors. Jane has been elected to positions at the local and national levels. She is the former Co-chair of the Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT) and she serves as a representative of the civil society organization in Caloocan City Metro Manila Philippines, to promote the participation of grassroots organizations and local communities, empower citizen groups and to engage with local governments and national government agencies.
She is a council member for the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) – Women Sector and was elected as national treasurer of the National Union of Building and Construction Workers (affiliated with Building and Woodworkers International)
She also trained construction painters in housing projects and various community areas through volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity Philippines. Jane is proud to have been part of various campaigns and enactment of several laws for women, youth, children, lgbt, and workers’ rights.
“Community work is more meaningful.
Workers create the nation’s wealth; workers must have social protection and There is No Society, without Women!
As we approach our 2024 trip to the Philippines, we are excited to introduce the remarkable group of delegates who will be representing our organization. This trip will bring together a diverse team of professionals, each bringing their unique expertise, passion, and commitment to our shared mission. Over the next few weeks, we will continue to prepare for this journey, one that promises to foster meaningful exchange, collaboration, and impact.
Noreen Buckley (Co-Founder)
“In my advocacy work, I am passionate about creating equal opportunity and equitable treatment for people of all kinds throughout all trades. Connecting with tradeswomen globally has shown me that we all face the same hurdles regardless of where we live. Coming together and speaking with one voice will make us all stronger as we march forward in this movement!”
Noreen has been working as an electrician for 10 years, 7 of which she has spent as a union electrician in the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers). She completed her apprenticeship in San Francisco, CA USA through IEBW Local, Local 6. Recently she moved back to her hometown of Philadelphia PA USA and now she splits her time between the two cities.
During her time in Local 6, she helped start the Golden Gate Women’s Committee and was co-chair for 3 years. She also started a Local 6 weekly soccer team, the Hall Stars. Outside of her union participation, she has had the opportunity to participate 3 times in the Ideal Electric National Championship. She feels honored to represent women on a national, televised stage, and is proud to be a union tradeswoman. Noreen has been a leader in TBB since our 2019 India delegation. Playing prominent roles in the London and Philippines delegations as well.
Amber McCoy (Co-Founder)
Amber McCoy, born and raised in Oregon on the west coast of the United States, began their career in Construction over 20 years ago. After several years working non-union, they went through the Oregon Tradeswomen TACC program and eventually joined the United Brotherhood of Carpenters as an apprentice in 2006. McCoy completed the apprenticeship in 2010 and graduated with honors as the Carpenter Apprentice of the Year. In 2012, they left the field to work for the Union and have held many positions, elected and appointed in the Union and their community.
McCoy has taken on a leadership role for the Philippines delegation. They are involved in the logistical planning and will be helping our carpentry workshop for the Fillapina trades sisters.
As an advocate for Unions and Tradeswomen, McCoy has traveled the globe attending, planning, or presenting at various locations, including the USA, Canada, Philippines, Australia, India, Spain, and the UK. They are always excited to support the fight for Union Strength and Solidarity and Tradeswomen’s place at the table.
Cassandra Klewicki (Co-Founder)
Cassandra’s story in the construction trades began when she was an Americorps volunteer working on trail crews on public lands. This experience made her realize she loved working with her hands and she joined the United Brotherhood of Carpenters in 2017, first as an apprentice and eventually as a journeyworker and shop steward. She participated in the 2019 delegation to India and took on a leadership role for the 2022 England delegation, eventually filling TBBs researcher role after completing a masters degree in Labor Studies from the City University of New York School for Labor and Urban Studies.
Her academic achievements complemented her practical experience and prepared her for broader policy work. Her expertise and passion caught the attention of the New York State government, leading to her selection for the prestigious Empire Fellowship through the governor’s office. This opportunity brought Cassandra to Albany, New York where she serves in the Department of Labor’s Policy, Research, and Strategy division, allowing her to influence workforce policies at the state level.
Amanda Kay Johnson (Co-Founder)
Amanda Kay’s journey into the construction industry began through the AmeriCorps program in 2012 as a Construction Crew Leader for Habitat for Humanity in New York City. She entered the Local 157 Carpenters Union in 2016 and graduated as a Journeyperson in 2021. During her time as an apprentice, she completed her Masters Degree in Civil Engineering with a Construction Management emphasis at New Jersey Institute of Technology, served in multiple unelected leadership roles within her union, and co-organized the monthly NYC Tradeswomen Meet-Up. Amanda Kay is a leader for the 2024 delegation to the Philippines and was previously a leader for the 2019 delegation to India and the 2022 delegation to England.
Outside of carpentry, her passions include traveling, exploring diverse cultures, reading, being with family, journaling, hiking, and learning to fly planes.
Veronica Godinez (Co-Founder)
“I look forward to inspiring future tradeswomen to find their strengths. Someone said to me…‘Educate a man and you educate a man. Educate a woman and you educate a whole generation’. Let’s reach the masses!!!”
Veronica is a Journeywoman Cement Mason from Northern California in the United states. She has over 25 years of experience in the trades. She is currently the Training Director for the Northern California Cement Masons’ Joint Apprenticeship Training fund, vice president for her Local union, and a member of her International unions women’s committee; Steel Edge Women. She was a delegate for TBBs 2019 trip to Kerala India and she is a cofounder of TBB.
Cynthia Frank
Favorite quote: “No one can give us power. If we aren’t part of the process of taking it, we won’t be strong enough to use it.” ―Gloria Steinem
Cynthia Frank has around 45 years of experience as a carpenter. She was initiated into the United Brotherhood of Carpenters in 1979 and her career included the roles of Apprentice, Journeyman, Forman, General Foreman, Superintendent, Recording Secretary & Past President Carpenters Local 945. Notably, she was the first ever female to become president of a carpenters local in the UBC. She was also a key logistics leader for the 2022 TBB trip to London.
Not one to slow down during retirement, Cindy currently sits on the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Sisterhood Steering Committee, the Missouri Women in Trades Board of Directors, and the Cole County Historical Society, Board of Directors. She is the co-chair of the Action Committee at the National Taskforce on Tradeswomen Issues, a United States Department of Labor Apprentice Ambassador.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling and supporting her 11 grandchildren’s activities. In her past life she ice skated with Ice Capades just out of high school before her career choice in Carpentry. ‘The glamor of it all”.
Doreen Cannon
Doreen has been a union plumber since 1998. She was elected the president of plumbers local 55 in 2010 after four years of serving on the executive board. She served as president until her retirement in 2022. She is the chair of the Cleveland Building Trades (CBCTC) Tradeswomen Committee and was Crain’s Cleveland Business Women of Note in 2017. From 2012 to 2022 she was a full time plumbing instructor with the Local 55 joint apprentice training center. Doreen was a TBB delegate during our 2022 trip to London and she will be leading our plumbing skills workshop for our Fillapina trades sisters.
She is currently an Outreach and Recruitment Consultant with Cleveland Builds and Cleveland Building Trades. She is also the Northeast Region Director for ASSE International’s Board of Directors. She has one son Tommy who started kindergarten in the same year that she started her apprenticeship.
Angel Anderson
Angel is a scaffolding apprentice in the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 343 from Winnepeg, MB Canada. She has been scaffolding for about 5 years and is currently a level 3 apprentice. She is a former boxer and CrossFit enthusiast outside of work hours, and will be representing female scaffolders on the upcoming CBC television show Canada’s Ultimate Challenge where she will compete with a team in obstacle course challenges throughout the country.
Casey Aelbers
Casey Aelbers is an apprentice electrician who lives in Vancouver, BC Canada. She is also a commercial beekeeping graduate and has been practicing this craft for 9 years. She has a background of mentoring, teaching and training in her community, and abroad. She began her career in farming and she is passionate about collaborating with women in non-traditional occupations. She volunteers her local electrical union IBEW 213, BC Women in Trades Society (BCCWITT) and helps to run a variety of networking events in her city. She loves working with her hands, spending time outdoors, and traveling the world. In her spare time, she practices beekeeping.
Diana Limon
Diana started her career as an apprentice in Los Angeles, CA United States of America in 1995. Upon completion of her apprenticeship, she began teaching the electrical apprenticeship and supervising work as a foreman and general foreman out in the field. She served on the staff of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 11 for fifteen years in the Compliance Department and as Training Director of the Net Zero Plus Electrical Training Institute for five years. Since 2023, she currently serves as the Director of Women Recruitment & Support and continues to assist in the Compliance Department for IBEW Local 11. She received her BA in Labor Studies from the National Labor College and M.P.A. from the University of Baltimore.
Kristine Byers
Kristine Byers is a Red Seal Journeyperson Carpenter and Union Business Representative with Carpenters’ Regional Council (CRC), in Edmonton. She is passionate about diversifying the workforce through the inclusion and advancement of women, Indigenous workers and other underrepresented groups in the trades. Prior to moving to Alberta in May of 2023, she held several positions on various BC boards including being a governance member for the B.C. Centre for Women in the Trades (BCCWITT), a director of BuildTogether BC, and Chair of the Sisters in the Brotherhood committee for B.C. and Yukon.
Kristine has worked in a variety of areas within the carpentry field, over the past 15 years, to make herself a well-rounded professional and carpenter. In the field she has held many leadership positions including Job Steward, foreperson and superintendent and worked in a variety of industries from heavy industrial concrete formwork, in the mining industry, to commercial renovations and even to building spaceships in the film industry.
In her spare time Kristine enjoys giving back to her community through volunteering, being active, doing arts and crafts, traveling on her motorcycle and spending time with her husband and young daughter.
Lori Griffith
Lori is a 28 year member of IBEW Local union 481 from Indianapolis IN United States of America. She was a founding member of their Electrical Workers Minority Caucus, their veterans and women’s committees. She is a trustee and recording secretary for their Apprenticeship fund. She is also a United States Air Force Veteran who was stationed in the Philippines where she served as an aircraft crew chief. Her hobbies include hiking, kayaking and remodeling houses. She has ample carpentry and plumbing skills, even though she is an electrician by trade. Her passion is traveling.
Myra Hildreth
Myra has been an Inside Wireman Electrician member of IBEW Local 11 in Los Angeles CA, USA for nearly thirty years. From apprentice to journeyman to foreman, she has always been dedicated to upholding her union’s high standards. She is a mother of three, and a proud member of a family that has contributed to IBEW Local 11 for three generations.
Rachel Cloutier
Rachel Cloutier is a Red Seal Electrician from Vancouver, BC, Canada. She is an active member of the IBEW 213 and their women’s committee. She was recently invited to present about women’s Personal Protective Equipment in front of the provincial government. In her free time, she enjoys many fitness related activities such as hiking, powerlifting and gardening/farming.
Tonia Rivers
Tonia Rivers is from Brooklyn NY USA. She is a military spouse and mother of three, has a 19-year career in the construction industry. Over the years, she has held various roles, including serving as a senior project manager for large-scale commercial general contractors and as a key stakeholder for a federal government agency. Presently, Tonia is the owner and president of WLS Construction Consultants LLC, the founder of the nonprofit organization Mothers In Construction (M.I.C.), as well as the host of the podcast. Committed to supporting and championing mothers in the construction field, she passionately dedicates herself to providing valuable resources and advocacy within the industry.
15 tradeswomen from Canada and the USA will travel to the Philippines, participating in a 2 week training exchange with 30 tradeswomen from Manila. These 45 women will learn from each other various skills enabling them to grow in the trades.
The Filipina sisters will teach us their grass roots organizing program, allowing TBB members to come home and work to grow the # of women in good, union jobs.
We will share with our siblings in the Philippines training in carpentry and plumbing, providing the foundation for them to build a training program. This will allow our sisters to expand their construction skills and means of employment.
Your support is essential to fostering lasting connections and providing life-changing opportunities for tradeswomen across borders. This delegation is not just a learning exchange; it’s a chance to uplift and equip Filipina tradeswomen with the skills and confidence to thrive in their careers. By contributing, you are helping to strengthen a global sisterhood that empowers women to break barriers and support one another. Every donation, no matter the size, plays a meaningful role in making this possible and keeping these invaluable international partnerships thriving.
Islington Tribune – The independent London news recently published an article sharing the vision of Islington Council using the redevelopment of a former women’s prison as a way to increase women working in Construction. The article acknowledges the impact that TBB 2022 delegation to London had on the scheme.
Tradeswomen Building Bridges: the North American Network of Women Working in the Construction Trades 