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“I am half Muslim and half Christian, 39 years old and a hard working mother. I have three children and a husband. I work at Comanche Steel Corporation as a welder. Before entering a welding career, my previous work was as a factory worker and a lady guard. I didn’t have a permanent job. I realized that I needed to change my career to go to abroad to earn money. I heard that there are a lot of women taking welding jobs so I decided to get enrolled in school. Afterwards I got hired by the company. It is really difficult because of my religion and culture and fighting against discrimination about being female as well. But I am more confident and determined to pursue my career for my children in order to give them a better future. As a mother, It is better to accept all and carry all the sacrifice and do everything for my children rather than to see them suffering that there is no food on the table. Life is like a war. It is better
to fight than to die not doing anything…” Marianne Valuenzuela, Manila Philippines
Ayheng Saclolo, Welder, Pinay Tradeswomen wrote to Pride and a Paycheck:
(Excerpt from email) “Hi! Sue, this is the photo that you asking hope you like it, this was to inspire women full of determination and confident a true great fighter. Hope you can put into ur Pride and Paycheck Magazine we are very very thankful to you!! To putting some of our sisters here to inspire and to read their stories, battles and struggles of being tradewomen here in the Philippines. Every women putting in ur magazine making them more inspired and hope to fight for their right and giving us a opportunities for Pinay. It’s really a big help for all of us here. ….. We support Pride and Paycheck.” Ayheng
2
PRIDE IS NOT FUNDED THROUGH GRANTS. IT EXISTS AS A WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS
IN OAKLAND CALIFORNIA AND CONTINUES TO PUBLISH WORLD WIDE
THROUGH DONATIONS AND ADVERTISER SUPPORT! PLEASE SEND YOUR SUPPORT TO
PRIDE AND A PAYCHECK AT 484 LAKE PARK AVE. #315, OAKLAND CA 94610
OR YOU CAN USE PAYPAL ON WWW.PRIDEANDAPAYCHECK.COM
Disclaimer - Ads or resource
listings in this publication and on
www.prideandapaycheck.com do
not represent an endorsement
by Pride and a Paycheck or its
editor/owner Sue Doro.
Sue Doro, Oakland CA, the editor and owner of Pride and a Paycheck Magazine is a retired Railroad machinist, published author, and Blue Jean Pocket writers’ workshop facilitator. She is a member of the National Writers Union, Local 1981 (UAW Affiliate), the United Association of Labor Education Local 189 (Affiliate of CWA), Working Class Studies Association, Tradeswomen Inc., Oregon Tradeswomen, National Assoc. of Women in Construction, Women in Trucking, Coalition of Labor Union Women, retired member of the American Federation of Government Employees as well as the International Association of Machinists.
Pride and a Paycheck is edited and produced with union labor.
Thanks to all you social media sisters and brothers who are part of the TEAM of
distributors. Pride and a Paycheck wouldn’t be reaching over 300,000 strong
without you! www.prideandapaycheck.com
https://www.dol.gov/wb/NTO/workers/organizations/
EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT: The US Department of Labor Women’s Bureau has
included Pride and a Paycheck and our website link in their resource listings
under “workers/organizations”. This is what they say:
“Pride and a Paycheck is a free publication in journal/news format reaching out to
tradeswomen, friends, organizations and supporters.”
This listing will increase our distribution numbers to the sky! Currently at
300,000 this means a lot to all tradies around the world and also to potential and
current advertiser supporters! In our 19th
year of publication…thank you Women’s
Bureau! Thank you always to Madeline Mixer, the retired Region 9 Women’s
Bureau Director who co-founded Pride and a Paycheck!! Here is the link below.
Just start to type in Pride and a Paycheck and it happens!
Page 3: Announcing Pride listing on Dept. of Labor
Women’s Bureau Resource site
Page 5: Ironworker Calendars NOW
Page 6: Precision Machinist
Page 7: Democracy in Action
Page 8: Casting Call Frantic Films (Time Sensitive)
Page 9: Construction Jewelry AD
Page 10: Women in Trucking
Page 12: Rising Sun Energy
Page 13: Don’t be Ladylike
Page 14: Nova Scotia Canada, Plunbing
Page 15: East Bay Municipal Utility District Job Ad
Information (Time Sensitive) Ad
Page 16-18: Pipe Trades Apprenticeship
Announcement (Time Sensitive) Ad
Page 19: Carla Jean Johnson By Molly Martin
Page 20: Sheet Metal Ad
Page 21: Carpenters Ad
Page 23: Covergalls Ad
Page 24: Joy Lam, Carpenter Conversation
Thanks to the ongoing Advertisement support of Carpenters Training Committee for Northern
California and Northern California Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 104, and East Bay
Municipal Utility District, and the Pipe Trades Training Center, Local 393, San Jose California.
Also: Special thanks to Madeline Mixer, Larry Robbin, Joycelyn Robbinson-Hughes, Ironworker Jeanne Park,
Ironworker Randye Hedgecoke, Electrician Tarra Randazzo, Electrician Joanna Perry-Kujala, Ironworker Robyn
O’Toole, Melina Harris and Sisters in the Building Trades. (Visit this website for the tradeswomen photo gallery.
www.sitbt.org ). Thanks also to Women in Trucking and its President Ellen Voie, Sheet Metal Local 104 Union
Vice President Rita Magner, retired Operating Engineer and photographer Pat Williams, co-founder of
J♀urneyman along with Ontario Canada’s Jamie McMillan. Pat along with Vivian Price is also responsible for
theTradeswomen Archives. www.tradeswomenarchives.comThanks to Sister Rails, the WATT Electricians of
Houston Texas and their President Pat Burnham, Indiana Steel Mill Worker Donna De Graaf-Smith, author and
Carpenter Kate Braid in Vancouver BC, Canada, Mason Stella Cheng in France, Fi Shewring and the Australian
Tradies from Supporting and Linking Tradeswomen www.saltaustralia.org as well as all the other US and
international tradeswomen writers and poets who share their blue collar work lives with us and in turn inspire
other sisters to write work pieces from their own hearts and hard hats! Working Class literature is alive and
thriving! The articles and poetry in Pride and a Paycheck magazine are written entirely by tradeswomen,
both actively employed as well as retired.
Bobbie Kierstead, Lincoln NB
Deborah Black, West Chicago IL
Eleana Jacobs, Skokie IL
Fred Sahakian, San Pablo CA
Gail Sorensen, Ft. McMurray, Alberta Canada
Janet Zandy, Rochester NY
Jeanne Park, San Francisco CA
Lauline Mitchell, Oakland CA
Lyan Pernala, San Pablo CA
Madeline Mixer, Berkeley CA
Marilyn E. Foth, Arverne, NY
Mary Black, West Chicago IL
Mary Coffey, Williamstown NJ
Rochelle Behar, New York NY
Ron Kaminkow, Reno NV
Sharon Samuel, San Francisco CA
Tim Sheard, New York NY
V. Sheree Williams, Oakland CA
http://www.jwj.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/JWJEDU_NABTU_Report_2016_OnlineVersion_small.pdf
STATEMENT FROM THIS REPORT: This report is a
joint project of Jobs With Justice Education Fund and North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) Tradeswomen Committee. About Jobs With Justice Education Fund: It is a national network expanding people’s ability to come together to improve their workplaces, their communities, and their lives. They create solutions to the problems working people face by leading campaigns, changing the conversation and moving labor, community, student and faith voices to action. They win real change at the national and local levels by challenging corporate greed and demanding an economy that works for all. About the NABTU Tradeswomen Committee: It is committed to increasing the number of women in skilled trades careers by promoting strategies to recruitment, retention and leadership advancement. The committee will give voice and visibility to these issues within NABTU, its affiliates and industry partners.
Click below to download report.
Thanks to San Francisco Ironworker and Calendar Editor Jeanne Park as well
as IMPACT Publishing, copies of the Ironworker Women 2017 calendars were
donated to Pride as a fund raiser. Please help keep Pride alive and receive a
powerful calendar filled with strong and brave female Ironworkers! You can
send $10 to Pride using our PayPal button on www.prideandapaycheck.com or
you can send a check to 484 Lake Park Ave. #315, Oakland CA 94610.
5
https://blog.dol.gov/2016/11/17/single-mom-forges-her-american-dream-as-precision-machinist/
Single Mom Forges Her American Dream as Precision Machinist
Filed in Apprenticeship, Español, Workforce Development By Rhonda Burke on November 17, 2016
Michelle Goodrum, a 40-year-old single mom of three boys, had worked a variety of jobs over the years to
make ends meet, including as an account executive and in home health care. One day while searching for
“something different to do” with greater earning potential, she stumbled on an ad for a machinist apprentice
at F.N. Smith Corp. in Oregon, Illinois. With the encouragement of her family, she decided to apply.
Today, Michelle is a 3rd year apprentice at the company operating computer numerical controlled (or CNC)
lathes and mills to produce custom machinery used in the food service industry, and she is excelling in a
field she had never considered.
“This was a huge change. The only tool I knew how to use before starting the program was a tape
measure,” Michelle said. “I didn’t think I was good at math or working with my hands and I found out that I
am. It is a great feeling to see the finished product and know you have created that.”
Michelle is one of only two female employees in the shop, as only one other woman has completed the
company’s registered apprenticeship program to date. While she says balancing school, work, motherhood
and running a household can be demanding, Michelle said she would encourage women and men alike to
consider the field.
“As a single mother to
three boys, I think I have
surprised them with what
I’ve accomplished so far,
and I hope I am a good
role model for them,”
Michelle said. “The
greatest thing I have
earned in this job is
confidence. I can
accomplish more than I
ever thought possible.
Now, I have a skill,
stability and a job with
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great earning potential. My boys and I can stop living paycheck to paycheck and I can start saving for a
future.”
In addition to her 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, Michelle is completing 64 credit hours of instructional
learning at Rock Valley Community College and will soon receive a certificate of completion as well as an
industry-issued, nationally recognized certificate from the Rock River Valley Tooling and Machining
Association. RRVTMA, a local chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association, is a group of tool
machine shops and custom manufacturers in the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin area.
There are more than 500,000 apprentices across the country, with more apprenticeship opportunities added
every day. And new investments are helping expand apprenticeships into high-growth industries like health
care, IT and cybersecurity.
These earn-while-you-learn training programs provide a clear career path forward through new skills, higher
wages and opportunities for advancement. Learn more about how #ApprenticeshipWorks during National
Apprenticeship Week 2016, Nov. 14-20, at dol.gov/apprenticeship.
Editor’s note: The “DOL Working for You” series highlights the Labor Department’s programs in action.
View other blog posts in the series here.
Rhonda Burke is a public affairs specialist for the department in Chicago.
To read this article in Spanish please click below:
Members of the NYC
Coalition for Women in
Construction,
Francoise Jacobsohn
and Rudy Mulligan
march in the Women’s
March in New York,
January 21st.
Photo by Linda Longo
(Sue Doro’s daughter)
while her parents
attended the Oakland
CA event! Proud to be
part of true democracy
in action! 7
8
“Bored First Aid Attendant” Cartoon
Copyright 2017 by Kahla Lichti, Journey
Electrical in Victoria BC. Kahla has been
documenting her apprenticeship on her
blog: the secret life of an apprentice
electrician. She has recently re-discovered
her creative side with a weekly trades comic
of the week, as well as other artistic
endeavors. Welcome Kahla to the pages of
Pride and a Paycheck!!! We’ll be laughing at
more of her great cartoons in the coming
months! Here’s the link to her blog!
https://secretlifeofanapprenticeellectrician.wordpress.com/2016/01/
EDITOR’S NOTE: PASSING ON AN EMAIL I RECEIVED. CHECK OUT THIS FILM COMPANY ON LINE.
WWW.FRANTICFILMS.COM
“My name is Irada Seli and I am a casting director with Frantic Films. Frantic Films is casting for general contractors, plumbers and electricians (women and POC are encouraged to apply!). Sadly, it is not often that we see women in trades on television so I am especially trying to reach out to female applicants so we can potentially have a new show with strong female role models. We currently have 3 casting calls for USA and CANADA: we are searching for an experienced contractor, plumber and an electrician. All applicants must have expertise in the industry and must be able to do amazing reno/contractor work! This is not a call for background actors - the team we are assembling will be in every episode on a national network. Experience and a stellar, outgoing personality are a must! Email [email protected] with the following: 1. Name and contact number of the applicant 2. Description of their expertise as an electrician/contractor/construction/renovation/builder/plumber. (How experienced are you, what big projects did you work on or lead?) 3. At least three photos of the person applying (make sure they are not large files). If you are applying as a group, please attach photos of all applicants (please no sunglasses in photos) *** We are also actively seeking women and an ETHNICALLY diverse cast (WOMEN and MEN of colour are especially encouraged to apply!) The show will be made with Frantic Films and Television, feel free to look at our previous internationally known shows at www.franticfilms.com Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you, IRADA SELI”
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Editor’s Note about Rochelle Behar and Construction Jewelry: Rochelle
has been donating her powerful and fabulous hand crafted jewelry to
Pride and a Paycheck to use as fund raisers for several years.
Now we can return her generosity. She is trying to set up a list of email
addresses to receive her announcements of new items. You’ll get
updated notices of new products and one of a kind sample sales. Let’s
help Rochelle who has helped Pride through the years! Sister to Sister.
Email her at [email protected] and say it’s fine with you to receive her
announcements.
New amazing earrings, inspired by NYC's New Year's Crystal Ball! You'll light
up the room in awe wearing the Tools & Hard Hat Crystal Earrings with
iridescent Swarovski Aurora Borealis Crystal created by tradeswoman/jewelry
designer Rochelle Behar, New York City. $29.95
“A portion of the proceeds will be donated to organizations that support educational
programs providing opportunities in the construction industry that are very near and dear to
my heart! “ (Rochelle Behar) Email: [email protected]
Visit ConstructionJewelry.com
10
Imagine you wake up at 3 am. to a fire
alarm in your hotel room on the 15th
floor.
The announcement from the loudspeaker
instructs everyone to exit the building
immediately, without using the elevator.
What do you do?
This recently happened to me, and after trudging down the flights of stairs and being guided to a
parking lot across the street, I was not in a good mood. At least I had pulled on my jeans and
grabbed a jacket, as some people were still in their pajamas and were shivering in the chilly
morning air.
As you can imagine, we were all relieved, but irritated to learn it was a false alarm. The waiting line
for the (very slow) elevators was long, so I decided to walk back up the stairs to my room. Later, I
asked a companion how many stairs he had to maneuver and he told me he had just gotten into
the shower and decided to take a chance that there was no fire and it was only a false alarm.
He beat the odds this time, but what if it had been a real fire? What would you do?
If you’re a risk taker, you’ll do what my colleague did and bet that there’s no fire. If you’re not a risk
taker, you’ll be the person in the pajamas scurrying down flights of stairs and shivering in the cool
morning air.
One definition of risk is “a situation involving exposure to danger.” Certainly, allowing yourself to
ignore a fire alarm is exposing yourself to danger.
Good professional drivers are typically risk averse and female drivers are even less likely to put
themselves in a situation involving risk. However, a 2012 study in Norway compared professional
drivers to non-professional drivers and found some interesting results.
The study looked at the responses of 1864 individuals of which 113 were professional
drivers. Here’s what they found. The professional drivers took more risks in some areas but had
less risky behavior in others.
First, professional drivers were less likely to wear seatbelts, which could be identified as risky
behavior. However, professional drivers were much less likely to operate a vehicle after alcohol
consumption. (This could be contributed to the possible loss of a job, but is still a good risk to
avoid.)
11
The report also found that professional drivers were more likely to use phones or other electronic
devices while driving than their four-wheeler counterparts. This type of activity is related to the job
and the need to communicate with family, friends, customers and carriers, but was more prevalent
in commercial vehicles and is identified as risky behavior.
It was interesting to note that the study found differences in how professional drivers take personal
responsibility for road safety overall. A person with a strong safety priority will be more proactive in
avoiding risks. Professional drivers have stronger attitudes toward safety because of training and
company values, however, due to the higher demands placed on them, they experience higher
levels of stress and fatigue which could contribute to lower personal responsibility regarding traffic
safety.
It wasn’t surprising to note that the report claims that professional drivers have a negative opinion
of non-professionals as they perceive themselves as being more skilled and trained than others.
While the Norwegian study identified drivers by age and gender, they didn’t comment on any risk-
taking tendencies for female drivers other than claiming that younger men are the most risk-taking
group on the road.
A report from the Social Issues Research Centre focusing on automobile drivers found that women
take fewer risks and men are more likely to be in crashes involving speed, or those that occur while
passing or on curves.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that male (automobile) drivers were more likely than
females to report aggressive driving behaviors and the World Health Organization claims that
“masculinity” may be hazardous to health and cited risky driving as one factor.
Women are driven by estrogen, which encourages bonding and connections while men are
motivated by testosterone, which results in the desire to win and to demonstrate power. Women
activate the amygdalae, which is the brain’s fear center, more quickly than men. For these
reasons, we can assume the typical female drivers has less risky behavior than men.
Regardless of your age or gender, risk taking on the road is not something anyone, professional or
not, should be doing. Ignoring a fire siren in the early morning hours and hoping it’s a false alarm is
another form of risk, and one we should all avoid.
Copyright 2017 Ellen Voie CAE, President/CEO, Women In Trucking Association, Inc., P O Box 400 Plover, WI 54467- 4000
Never drive alone, download the Women In Trucking app and stay connected!
Women In Trucking’s mission is to encourage the employment of women in the trucking
industry, promote their accomplishments, and minimize obstacles faced by women working in
the trucking industry.
12
My name is Rokeeda Fernandes and I graduated from Rising Sun's first Women Building the
Bay Green Energy Training Services pre-apprenticeship program.
Since, my first day at Rising Sun, my experience has been
nothing short of amazing. I was hesitant to join an
all women cohort, but I am glad I joined and stayed until the
end. I am a reserved person and don't easily open up to people
but I have made connections with some really cool and
intelligent women.
Women Building the Bay has been quite a journey and I
have loved every bit of it. This was the first time I ever
enjoyed a school-like setting. It was the first time I was
enthusiastic about coming, even on days I didn't feel good. I
have gained strong clarity about where I want to go in my
career and I am proud of myself for staying focused throughout
the entirety of the program.
Since graduating, I have joined the Carpenters Union
Local #713. It's hard core but also fun. We women have to
have a tough skin, get fit and know that we can do it even if we
are the only woman on the job.
As a single parent, I am happy to be starting a stable career,
receiving a living wage with benefits, and working 40 hours a
week. I will now be able to provide for my daughter. I
look forward to my future in the trades.
It's important for me to share my story. I want to inspire
other women. I want to empower others. I know that this is only
possible with the support of Rising Sun and people like you.
You can make an impact on the lives of future participants,
just like so many assisted in changing my life. You can help
fight the barriers for women in apprenticeship and the building
trades.
Please empower others like me with a gift of support today.
Even $10 can make a big difference! Thank you for supporting people like me and the tremendous work of
Rising Sun.
Sincerely,
Rokeeda Fernandes, Women Building The Bay Graduate, Spring 2016
Rising Sun Energy: Tel: 510.665.1501 ext. 106 2998 San Pablo Avenue || Berkeley, CA 94702
www.risingsunenergy.org
"Building Healthy Communities through Climate Solutions and Green Career Pathways"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v4d5_bjbT0
13
Regarding Story Telling in the New World Order
Don't Be Ladylike! Blergings from
Jeanette Wallis, Railroad Worker: The
Least Dangerous Woman in America.
Jeannette Wallis has been involved in her own firebrand style of activism for a variety of causes for the last 15 years. As a union railroader for the last 12 years, she is a founding member and longtime co-chair for Railroad Workers United. She has been an outspoken advocate for railroad safety, worker rights, coalition-building and creative activism. She prevailed in a lawsuit again her employer in Federal Court in 2014 for their retaliation against her for reporting an on-the-job injury…Oh and she once walked across America with her super-hero dog, Sherpa in a 4,000 walk for Democracy. Currently, she writes an ongoing blog. The following piece came from the blog. She is also seeking a publisher for her memoirs. Even if you don’t know a publisher…you can “like” her facebook blogs and keep Jeannette’s spirit and creative juices flowing!
https://www.facebook.com/DontBeLadylike/?fref=ts
Here’s an excerpt from Jeannette Wallis’
No War But Class War:
“Here’s the thing about class war: It is the only war that exists.
It’s true! The working class fights the war of the ruling class, and
we don’t even get to know why. Much of it boils down to the fact that we have let them take everything. Our
land. Our water. A living wage. Free healthcare for all. Our dignity. Our public safety. Eventually we’ll get
sick of it, and have to do something about it. The “haves” have too much, and someday the have-nots are not
going to let them to take it all anymore.
Now before you go off dissing the ruling class, pay attention: We allowed it to happen. It’s true! I see it all
the time in my class, the organized working class. Well, we’re sort of organized. In my industry, we don’t get
to take time off to go to our union meeting, and our union leadership definitely knows that. They kind of like
being in control, since we working stiffs don’t have a clue what goes on behind closed doors. Because they
don’t tell us.
And why should we get involved? We’re just uneducated, blue-collar workers, right? I’m talking to you, too,
local leadership. We see you taking time off from work for “labor/management relations” while the rest of
us slave away with no predictable schedule and increased harassment and discipline because you let them
flush our agreements down the toilet without so much as a peep!
And I see you, too, fellow worker. All those years of letting the company target your brothers and sisters who
speak out, and what did you do? You let them fight on your behalf all alone. Kind of sucks when you become
the target, right? If it hasn’t happened to you yet, don’t worry. Eventually it will. Then you’ll be happy to ask
those troublemakers to take up your fight, and drop them again when they’re done helping you. Eventually
the troublemakers will give up on you completely, and then you’re on your own. Once they silence the
troublemakers, then they’ll get rid of the old guard and all their pesky “knowledge”. Next will be anyone
who knows anything about our rights. After that, no more union for anyone. And we let them do it! Every
time.” To read the rest of this go to https://jeanettewallis.com/2017/01/27/no-war-but-class-war/
Also see: https://medium.com/@jenwallis/the-walk-for-democracy-13-years-later-6147e71dfe57#.1rcpytqlh
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Nova Scotia Canada...Female-owned Small Jobs Plumbing
Company aims to help women do their own repairs
Tammy Buchanan and Sherri Lee want to help other women save money……
By Aya Al-Hakim, CBC News
An all-women plumbing company in Lower Sackville (Nova Scotia Canada) launched a course to teach female homeowners how to fix common plumbing issues so they don't have to rely on professionals for help.
The course was run by Small Jobs Plumbing, which is owned by Tammy Buchanan and her business partner, Sherri Lee. (Small Jobs Plumbing is planning more courses for the future)
Lee, who handles the company's marketing and public relations, came up with the idea for the course after noticing more single women are buying houses.
"Being a single person and owning a home is expensive. Both Tammy and I had been in that position," she said.
"Historically, people associate trade-related jobs to men and we don't think that should be the case anymore. A lot of these skills aren't difficult to learn and only require simple tools."
An analysis from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation showed an increase in the number of
women who live alone in their own home between 2006 and 2011. The number of single mothers who are homeowners also grew.
Lee said she hopes the repair courses, which will cost each participant about $50, will help support women who feel house-poor and want to save money by doing their own repairs.
Every cent counts
The course will show how to fix common plumbing problems, such as changing bathroom faucets and unclogging toilets.
"They don't have to hire a plumber to come in and charge them an hour's wage for something that could potentially take 10 minutes to fix," said Buchanan.
She believes every cent counts. "I feel, for 15 years of my life, I just made ends meet and I know a lot of people in the Maritimes are in that position," Buchanan said.
"It was a motivator for me to get a little ahead by opening the business and getting to help out."
Kelli Skinner, who owns a house that is about 20 years old, said it's less intimidating to be trained by another woman. "As a homeowner, I think especially when you have children or if you are an elderly person, you might feel more comfortable having a female technician come into your home as opposed to a male," she said.
Skinner is looking forward to being able to do minor repairs on her own. "I think the opportunity to be in a classroom with other women who are interested would be a lot of laughs," she said. "We should let people know that we can do this too. It is not rocket science." (on Facebook go to Small Jobs Plumbing)
15
Apply Online now at: www.ebmud.com/jobs/job-opportunities or
call the job hotline: (510) 287-0742 for current job openings.
16
Pipe Trades Training Center
780 Commercial Street, San Jose CA 95112
408-453-6330
www.pipetradestraining.org
19
The Her Own Words® Women in Nontraditional Careers, DVDs and posters can
be purchased with Perkins funds. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us;
we're happy to help!
Full website: NontraditionalCareers.com
20
Carla Jean Johnson July 23, 1959-June 12, 2016
by Molly Martin, San Francisco CA, Author and Retired Electrician
“Carla Johnson was my bestie. I loved her. We worked together as building inspectors in the 90s,
we worked on each other’s’ houses. I introduced her to her wife Anna. Together we negotiated the
prejudices we faced as women in the building trades. There were many. Still are.”
A handsome proud lesbian pioneer in the building trades and city government, Carla Jean Johnson was a hero and an icon for a loving community in San Francisco.
From the time she made her first cutting board in high school shop class, Carla wanted to be a carpenter. In the 1970s, she dropped out of UC Berkeley to follow her dream. She scavenged jobs with small contractors and a women’s carpentry collective, and ran her own contracting business. Then she got a job as a carpenter at the San Francisco Department of Public Works, where she worked on City Hall and other historic public buildings. Strikingly good looking and nearly six feet tall, Carla was often mistaken for a man, leading to decades of awkward confrontations in women’s bathrooms.
Carla became a disability rights activist by accident. Though we were both tradeswoman trailblazers, I didn’t meet Carla until after the table saw accident that mangled her left hand and forever changed her life. After decades working with her hands, suddenly she was disabled. She could no longer earn a living as a carpenter.
Fortunately, Carla’s Worker’s Comp attorney told her about the Americans with Disabilities Act, which had just gone into effect in July 1992. Her employer had an obligation under the ADA to provide her with a “reasonable accommodation,” to place her in a job where she could still use her skills. That’s how she came to work at the Department of Building Inspection, where we became friends and colleagues, two of the first women to work there as inspectors.
Carla became an expert on disability access and a passionate advocate for disability rights. By the time of her death, she was the director of the Mayor’s Office on Disability.
In the late 1990s she met photographer Anna Kuperberg. They married during the short window in 2004 and again in 2008 when gay marriage finally became legal.
Carla died quickly of an aggressive form of breast cancer after choosing hospice at home instead of oncology. Last July we filled the historic Bay View Hunter’s Point Opera House, a building Carla had worked hard to make accessible, to pay tribute.
For the first time in the building’s long history, wheelchair users entered through the front door.
22
Carpenters Training Program for Northern California
www.ctcnc.org Description of crafts within the program CTCNC
encourages women to join the rewarding career in carpentry! No matter what
your background is, there are many different crafts to choose from like;
General Carpenter, Acoustical Installer, Drywall, Hardwood Floor Layer,
Insulator, Lather, Millwright, Pile Driver, Scaffold Erector and Shingler. All
these crafts work in different phases of the construction project and have
different levels of expertise and skills required to be successful. Through
your efforts at the apprenticeship you will receive college credits for the
classes that you attend and with the successes on the jobsite you will gain
the building blocks to climb the career ladder to the top. Maybe the company owner.
Sisters in the Brotherhood for more information about the Sisters or sign up NOW
at nccrc.org/sisters.
Watch these videos!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG1Jxxwrzn4
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JOY LAM
CARPENTER
San Francisco CA
“Ever since I got
into the trades,
my family didn’t
like the idea of
me being in a
non-traditional
occupation. It
boggles their
mind. They don’t
agree with me
working in
construction.
I told my step
mother about the
new contractor
I’m working for.
The conversation
went like this:
Me: Hey I’m working for Kaiser. They have their own in-house construction.
Step-mom: Are you cleaning up after the men?
Me: No, I’m supervising the subs.
Step-mom: Are you superintendent?
Me: I think I’m a foreman. I’m getting foreman wages.
She was really surprised.
