When I first started in the trades, I didn’t see many people who looked like me. Most of the job sites were full of men, and while many of them welcomed me, there was still the unspoken message: You’re different. You don’t quite belong here.

But the more women I’ve met over the years — electricians, welders, carpenters, heavy equipment operators — the clearer it’s become that representation matters. When young women see us out there, working, thriving, and leading, it changes how they see the trades. It makes them believe, I can do this too.

Breaking the Stereotype

For decades, trades careers were seen as “men’s work.” That stereotype runs deep. You still hear it from time to time: It’s too tough for women, or It’s not a place for you.

But every woman who puts on a hard hat or steel-toed boots chips away at that old idea. We’re proving that skill, determination, and passion matter more than gender.

I remember walking onto a site early in my career and getting surprised looks. People weren’t used to seeing a woman electrician. But after a few days of working side by side, the looks turned into respect. That’s the power of representation — it challenges assumptions in real time.

The Power of Visibility

I often speak at schools, and I’ve seen the shift happen in students’ eyes. At first, some of the girls look unsure when I tell them I’m a Master Electrician and a heavy equipment operator. They’ve never been told that kind of career was an option for them.

But when I share my story, their curiosity grows. They ask about apprenticeships, pay, and the skills involved. They start to picture themselves in the trades. That spark of possibility? It starts with seeing someone who’s already walked the path.

Representation isn’t just about inspiring confidence — it’s about creating options. It tells young women they don’t have to squeeze into careers that don’t fit them. The trades are open to them too.

Stories That Inspire

Over the years, I’ve met women whose stories remind me why visibility is so powerful.

• A young welder who started out in high school shop class and is now leading a fabrication team. She told me she never would have pursued welding if she hadn’t seen another woman running the torch at a school demo.
  
• A carpenter who built her own business after years of being “the only woman on site.” She now mentors other young women and gives them the role model she never had.
  
• An apprentice electrician who came up to me after a school talk and said, “I didn’t know women could do this. I want to try.” She’s now thriving in her program.
  

These women aren’t just working — they’re changing the entire perception of what’s possible.

Representation Builds Confidence

One of the toughest barriers for young women entering the trades is confidence. They wonder if they’re strong enough, skilled enough, or tough enough. Seeing women already in the field answers those questions with a loud yes.

When I first earned my Master Electrician certification, I didn’t just feel proud for myself — I felt proud knowing it would show others that women can reach the highest levels of expertise in the trades. Representation says: You don’t have to question if you belong. You do.

Why Inclusivity Benefits Everyone

Representation isn’t just good for women — it benefits the entire industry.

When more women enter the trades, it helps fill critical labor shortages. It brings new perspectives and problem-solving styles to the work. And it creates stronger, more inclusive teams.

I’ve seen job sites transform when women are present. Conversations shift. Respect grows. And younger men working alongside women learn that teamwork has nothing to do with gender — it’s about skill, safety, and getting the job done right.

How We Can Keep Changing Perceptions

If we want to continue breaking barriers, we have to be intentional about representation. Here are a few ways to do it:

• Show up in schools. Speak to students about your career. Tell your story. Let them see you.
  
• Mentor the next generation. Take an apprentice under your wing and help them grow.
  
• Celebrate success. Share women’s achievements in the trades so they become visible role models.
  
• Challenge stereotypes. Speak up when you hear outdated ideas about who “belongs” in the trades.
  
• Support inclusive policies. Encourage workplaces to create safe, welcoming environments for everyone.
  

Every step we take creates more visibility, more opportunities, and more change.

Building a Future Without Limits

When I think about the future of the trades, I picture job sites where it’s normal to see women in every role — from apprentices to supervisors to business owners. I picture classrooms where young girls are told from the start, You can be an electrician, a welder, a carpenter, or anything else you set your mind to.

Representation is the bridge to that future. The more we show up, the more young women will follow.

So if you’re already in the trades, know this: your presence is powerful. You might think you’re just doing your job, but to someone watching — a student, a neighbor, a young apprentice — you’re proof that they can do it too.

And if you’re considering a trade? Don’t let the stereotypes stop you. Step forward. Be the change. And know that every time you show up, you’re helping to reshape the story of what the trades look like.

Because representation doesn’t just change perceptions. It changes lives.