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Timeline

January 1, 1979
The Movement Begins
The Movement Begins

Chicago-area women in the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America meet for the first time, launching what becomes the Chicago tradeswomen’s movement.

January 1, 1982
Chicago Women in Trades is Born
Chicago Women in Trades is Born

Chicago Women Carpenters officially becomes Chicago Women in Trades, expanding beyond carpentry to support all women entering the skilled trades.

In 1981, as other tradeswomen joined carpenters’ potlucks and pickets, the idea for Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT) was born. Photo: Solidarity March 1981, Washington DC.

January 1, 1983
National Network Building

Chicago Women in Trades members travel to California to participate in the first National Tradeswomen’s Conference. Upon their return, they help organize the Midwest Blue Collar Tradeswomen’s Conference in Chicago.

January 1, 1984
First Policy Victory

CWIT collaborates with Alderman McLaughlin to develop the McLaughlin Ordinance, utilizing financial incentives to encourage contractors to hire women and people of color on City construction projects.

January 1, 1986
Breaking Barriers at Trade School
Breaking Barriers at Trade School

After CWIT members file Title IX charges, painter Erie Magruder-Jackson becomes the first woman instructor at Washburne Trade School. CWIT’s first workshop there attracted over 700 women.

January 1, 1987
Training Program Launches

CWIT designs the Pre-Apprenticeship Tutorial Workshop (later known as the Technical Opportunities Program or TOP), creating formal pathways for women to enter apprenticeships. Carpenter Eileen Kreutz brings TOP to Malcolm X College.

January 1, 1988
Direct Actions Get Results
Direct Actions Get Results

At the Dan Ryan Expressway Reconstruction project, laborer Laurice Brown organizes more than 50 unemployed tradeswomen in an early morning demonstration, challenging contractors who claim they “can’t find any tradeswomen.”

January 1, 1989
Workplace Equity Model and National Tradeswomen’s Conference
Workplace Equity Model and National Tradeswomen’s Conference

CWIT launches the Female Employment Initiative (FEI) in collaboration with Stein and Co. developers at the new federal building. The FEI achieves high participation among tradeswomen and demonstrates what equitable working conditions look like.


CWIT hosts the second National Tradeswomen’s Conference in Chicago. Over 700 tradeswomen from across the country and around the world attend, including tradeswomen from Norway, Poland, and Great Britain.


CWIT works with State Representative Barbara Flynn Currie to sponsor successful legislation to eliminate upper-age limits in apprenticeship programs.

January 1, 1990
CWIT Leadership Works With Federal Labor Department

CWIT Co-Founder Lauren Sugerman is appointed by the Secretary of Labor to serve on the Federal Committee on Apprenticeship.

January 1, 1991
Building Leadership Skills
Building Leadership Skills

CWIT launches the Tradeswomen’s Leadership Training Project to help women gain the skills to organize communities, prepare for positions in their unions, and become entrepreneurs.

January 1, 1992
National Impact

WANTO Act is Signed Into Law

Starting in 1991, CWIT worked with Congresswoman Connie Morella of Maryland to draft the Women in Apprenticeship and Non-Traditional Occupations (WANTO) Act to help other community-based organizations replicate CWIT’s successful training programs. Signed by President Bush in 1992, the law authorizes $1 million for technical assistance to help contractors and unions hire and retain tradeswomen.


CWIT publishes “Breaking New Ground – Worksite 2000

The report defines strategies for integrating women into the construction industry and is cited in two U.S. Supreme Court briefs, leading to the creation of over 400 jobs with equitable working conditions.

January 1, 1995
Research and Coalition Building

In response to renewed attacks on affirmative action, CWIT helps form the Coalition for Equal Opportunity and produces its second major research report: “Building Equal Opportunity: An Analysis of Six Affirmative Action Projects for Women Construction Workers.”

January 1, 1996
Federal Recognition
Federal Recognition

CWIT wins the Exemplary Public Interest Contribution (EPIC) Award from the U.S. Department of Labor for promoting affirmative action.

January 1, 1998
Health and Safety Leadership
Health and Safety Leadership

The Health and Safety of Women in Construction (HASWIC) workgroup, led by CWIT and under the auspices of OSHA’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health, releases its report outlining the safety and health issues affecting tradeswomen.

January 1, 1999
Reaching the Next Generation
Reaching the Next Generation

“Tradeswomen of Tomorrow,” CWIT’s girls’ program in Chicago Public Schools, wins top honors from the Women’s Educational Equity Act and later gains national attention on NBC’s Today Show.

January 1, 2001
Adocacy and Coalition Building

State Legislation Victory 

With support from Representative Julie Hamos, the Illinois First Job Opportunities Initiative passes unanimously in the Illinois House after a CWIT Advocacy Day.

 

National Coalition Forms 

The National Tradeswomen’s Conference launches Tradeswomen Now and Tomorrow (TNT), a coalition of 20 tradeswomen’s organizations co-chaired by CWIT and co-sponsored by Hillary Rodham Clinton.