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Forging Her Path: Naomi Zermeno Finds Her Calling in Welding

Written by Christina Timmins on . Posted in Profile.

Naomi Zermeno works as an Intermediate Welder at Freedman Seating after graduating from Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT) in June 2024. Her journey into the male-dominated welding industry began with a chance viewing of an Instagram reel that sparked her interest in the craft.

Q: What drew you to welding as a career, and what brings you the most satisfaction in your work?

“I always knew I wanted to work with my hands, and as a woman, I thought, ‘Should I do nails? Should I do eyelashes?’ That was kind of the first girly thing to do. But I never felt like that was going to be it. I had seen welding once on an Instagram reel, and when I looked into classes, CWIT came up. I was super honest in my interview, saying that I didn’t know if I would like it. Then once I started, I felt like I could thrive, and the first time I did it, I knew this was my calling. It felt full circle. What drew me to welding is that I knew I always wanted to work with my hands. It felt badass to say, ‘Oh my God, you’re a welder.’

The most satisfaction comes from just knowing that I did it—that moment of self-accomplishment. Welding is basically like your own artwork—nothing really depends on how great you are, except for your own skill set. That gives me the highest self-esteem boost. Just knowing that I did it all on my own.”

Q: What’s been your biggest challenge in this field, and how did you overcome it? 

“Honestly, just being a woman. We’re occupying space in a male-dominated field, and that’s an extreme challenge. The industry as a whole is not very accepting of women. There’s always going to be people who don’t want you there just because you are a woman. I think the biggest thing that’s helped me stay calm is being selfish—selfish because I have to do it for myself. I have to prove this for myself and guide myself to know that if I continue to be my best self, nothing else, not being a woman or a minority, is going to stop me. It’s going to be my work that shines through. That’s really helped a lot, just focusing on myself.”

Q: What part of CWIT’s Women in Welding program was most valuable?

“That the classes at CWIT are hands-on is the most valuable aspect. I also liked that we had a really small class. I felt attended to. Both of my instructors were always there for me. It felt nice to have their guidance throughout the program. I’m really grateful to have graduated from CWIT. It feels truly like a sisterhood. I feel like there’s always someone rooting for me.”

Q: What advice would you give to women considering a career in welding?

“Just do it like you mean it. Show up and show out. That’s always going to be my advice to anyone. As long as you have your heart and mind in the right place, I feel like you’re going to thrive, but you have to do it because you want it.”

Preliminary Injunction Issued in CWIT’s Case Regarding Anti-DEI Executive Orders

Written by Christina Timmins on . Posted in CWIT News.

Today, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issued a preliminary injunction in the case brought by Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT) challenging anti-DEI executive orders. The injunction enjoins the Department of Labor from requiring grantees and contractors nationwide to certify that they do not operate DEI programs to receive funding and from canceling CWIT’s Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) grant. In response, Sabrina Talukder, senior counsel with the Economic Justice Project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law issued the following statement regarding the preliminary injunction in the case:

“The court issued a preliminary injunction that will further allow Chicago Women in Trades to challenge the enforcement of key provisions of the anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion executive orders. These orders target the very nature of its mission, and we are pleased that the critical work Chicago Women in Trades leads for dismantling barriers for women, and especially women of color, in the skilled trades, can continue without threat of enforcement for the time being.

Still, we are working to secure a permanent injunction against this enforcement, for both our client and for other similarly situated organizations that receive federal funds.We must continue to stand for diversity, equity, and inclusion, as this case is a significant step in ensuring nonprofits everywhere can continue to serve their communities without fear of retribution or censorship.”

CWIT is represented by a team of civil rights lawyers from the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and pro-bono counsel Crowell & Moring LLP, along with the National Women’s Law Center, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, and Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights.

View the preliminary injunction.

Read: Chicago Women in Trades Challenges Executive Orders Threatening Workforce Development Programs

Update on CWIT’s Legal Action

Written by Christina Timmins on . Posted in CWIT News.

The court expressed concern about the executive orders’ characterization of equity-focused programs as “immoral and illegal” and questioned the vague, undefined terms targeting equity work.

This is a truly significant first step that allows us to continue our mission, at least for now. We are dedicated to our core purpose: preparing women to enter and succeed in high-wage skilled trades that enable them to put food on their tables and better the quality of life for their families.

Below is the statement from Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

Statement from Sabrina Talukder, senior counsel with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law’s Economic Justice Project and plaintiff’s attorney regarding the temporary restraining order in a case about the anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion executive orders:

“The court granted a temporary restraining order that will stop the enforcement of key provisions of the anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion executive orders against Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT). This is a critical step in ensuring that the organization can continue the important work it leads – helping women put food on the table through careers in the skilled trades and making job sites safer for thousands of women over the last four decades.

“Now, our focus turns to seeking a preliminary and eventually a permanent injunction to fully safeguard CWIT from being targeted for its work to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion for women in the skilled trades. Organizations like our client in this case promote these programs to create a fair and someday, a level playing field. They are still at risk of being unjustly silenced and defunded. Everyday Americans stand to lose if nonprofits doing the critical work of advancing gender and racial equity cannot continue their work.”

Scope of the temporary restraining order:

  1. The temporary restraining order lasts for 28 days from the day it is issued. The Court has the discretion to extend it for longer.
  2. The scope of the order has three parts. First, the Department of Labor is temporarily enjoined from canceling or pausing any of Chicago Women in Trades’ grants based on the Termination provision. Second, the Department of Labor is enjoined requiring any grantee or contractor nationwide from making any certification. Third, the Government shall not initiate any Federal Claims Act enforcement action against CWIT pursuant to the certification provision.

View the statement on the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law website:

https://www.lawyerscommittee.org/statement-from-lawyers-committee-senior-counsel-sabrina-talukder-on-temporary-restraining-order-in-anti-dei-executive-orders-case/

Read: Chicago Women in Trades Challenges Executive Orders Threatening Workforce Development Programs