Last September, New Orleans became the meeting point for 5,000 tradeswomen from across North America at the annual Tradeswomen Build Nations (TWBN) Conference, hosted by the North American Building Trades Unions (NABTU). Nearly 400 members of the International Union of Painters and Poster Trades (IUPAT) joined the crowd, marking the largest attendance overall, reflecting the growing momentum and importance of this conference for women in the trades.
With the theme “Let the Good Jobs Roll,” the conference highlighted the transformative impact of the infrastructure generation, a workforce empowered by historic federal initiatives like the infrastructure bill. This once-in-a-generation legislation has strengthened the construction industry, provided good jobs for working families and underscored the critical stakes of the upcoming November election. The conference was not just a celebration, it was a call to action, emphasizing the need for continued political engagement and advocacy for policies that support the trades.
This year has been a pioneer for IUPAT. Shauntelle Hollett of District Council 17 became the first woman elected as Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer (BM/ST), representing Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories. Meanwhile, Lezlie Harris made history as the first African-American woman to become president of Local Union 1244 in New Orleans. These milestones reflect IUPAT’s dedication to increasing female representation, with a bold goal set out at the union’s 33rd General Convention: to increase the number of women in IUPAT by at least 20% by 2029.
Under the leadership of General President Jimmy Williams Jr., IUPAT is focused on ensuring that women have visibility and voice at all levels of the union, from apprentices to the IUPAT General Executive Board. Williams has made it clear that women are integral to the union’s future, and her leadership is pushing IUPAT to new heights in gender equality and representation.
Although women make up only 4.3% of the construction workforce, their impact is profound and growing. Events like TWBN foster leadership, mentorship and activism, giving women in all trades the tools to address the unique issues they face. “Tradeswomen Build Nations is the most important conference for women in construction in existence,” said Mandy Jo Ganieany, Director of Organizing for IUPAT District 30 Council and Chair of the IUPAT Women’s CORE Committee. “As a former drywall finisher, I know firsthand how hard construction work is, and being a woman in a male-dominated industry presents a unique set of barriers. As more women enter the trades, we must partner with industry and government to advocate for inclusive policies that support these workers to compete and succeed in the industry.”
The conference has come a long way since its inception. Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su recalled her humble beginnings: “I remember when there were only 400 women at Tradeswomen Build Nations. Now there’s 5,000!” Su credits the event’s continued success to the incredible women in the trades and the support systems they’ve built. She emphasized that when women step up, everyone benefits. The women assistants – and those who work every day in the workplace – are not only reshaping unions; they are reshaping the nation’s conception of work.
What sets TWBN apart is its ability to bring together women from different backgrounds and trades, creating a powerful network of support. From the northern provinces of Canada to the vibrant streets of New Orleans, businesswomen came together to celebrate their achievements and the progress they have made to build a brighter future for North America. The conference is a testament to the strength of the trade union family, and no one captured that spirit better than IUPAT’s own Tureka Dixon, who spoke passionately to the thousands of attendees: “Never lose hope, keep the have faith and never underestimate your achievements. I’m so thankful for my union family – like all families, we’re not perfect, but we’re constantly getting better because we’re a union, a family, a struggle!”
The Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference continues to be a crucial space for women in the trades to find solidarity, strength and solutions to the challenges they face. For IUPAT, it’s a reminder of the powerful role women play in shaping the future of the union and the industry as a whole. Through leadership, advocacy and solidarity, these businesswomen are building more than just infrastructure – they are building the foundations for future generations.
