March 5-11 is Women In Construction Week and we would like to highlight some of the great work being done by women in this space. From reducing stigma to creating a safe work environment both physically and emotionally, these two Ironworkers are forging a path for other women to follow.
Erin Craw talks to Heather Kurtenbach and Vicki O'Leary about the changing landscape of the construction industry and how they plan to continue making it less intimidating for women to jump into this profession.
While construction has predominantly been a man-dominated industry, times are changing. Women make up about 14% of the Construction Workforce but the numbers continue to grow.
Heather Kurtenbach has been an Ironworker for 18 years, finishing her apprenticeship in 2009. She went on to become a foreman, GF, instructor, and now a Business Agent for her Local, Ironworkers Local 86 in Tukwila, WA.
Vicki O’Leary joined Ironworkers International in January 2016. Since that time, she became Chair of the North American Building Trades Union (NABTU) Tradeswomen's Committee. She is a 30+ year member of Ironworkers Local #1 in Chicago. She completed her triple major Bachelor of Arts degree in Union Leadership & Administration, Labor Education & Labor Studies from the National Labor College (2008) and obtained her Master of Arts Degree from Gonzaga University in Organizational Leadership (2012). She has also graduated from the Harvard Trade Union Program (HTUP- 2018) along with Cornell's National Labor Leadership Initiative (NLLI- 2018). She passionately strives for equal opportunity for all ironworkers - one that is free from bullying, harassment, and intimidation.
