In September, New Orleans hosted the Tradeswomen Build Nations (TWBN) Conference, gathering 5,000 tradeswomen, including nearly 400 from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT). The conference, themed “Let the Good Jobs Roll,” celebrated the impact of federal initiatives like the Infrastructure Bill, which has bolstered the construction industry and provided good jobs for families. It also underscored the importance of political engagement and policy advocacy. IUPAT made history with the election of Shauntelle Hollett as the first female Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer and Lezlie Harris as the first African-American woman President of Local Union 1244. With a goal of increasing female representation in the union to 20% by 2029, IUPAT emphasizes the importance of women in shaping its future. Despite women making up only 4.3% of the construction workforce, their influence is growing, and conferences like TWBN provide vital leadership, mentorship, and advocacy for success in the industry.
IUPAT Makes Strides in Building its Tradeswomen Workforce
With a goal of increasing female representation in the union to 20% by 2029, IUPAT emphasizes the importance of women in shaping its future.
