Today's Rosie

Tureka (Tee) Dixon is a journey-level glazier (that’s someone who installs glass) with Local 252 in Philadelphia.  She got into the trades because of the pay and benefits and stayed for the satisfaction of the work.  Her kids are proud of their Mom. Tee received her Associates Degree and BA in Construction Management through her apprenticeship program at the Finishing Trades Institute where she was able to earn and learn tuition-free. To learn more about a starting a career as a glazier, visit www.fti.edu. To learn about other careers, visit the Women in Nontraditional Careers (WINC) website at Wincproject.org.

In this episode of Today’s Rosie we hear from Kelly Ireland, a 4th generation commercial plumber with Local 690 in Philadelphia. Kelly shares her path to becoming a plumber and what she loves about her work. She describes how she has overcome challenges and found advantages to being a woman in the trades. Kelly offers advice that women should look to unions to earn equal pay, find mentors and connect with union sisters. To learn more about careers in the trades, visit Wincproject.org or email wincproject@philaworks.org.

In this episode of Today’s Rosie we hear from two different generations of tradeswomen who work for SEPTA, Philadelphia’s regional transit agency.  Melody Wells has been at SEPTA for over 25 years and is now a 2nd class mechanic.  Margaret Cobb has been at SEPTA for only 3 years and is now a 2nd class construction equipment operator. They talk about being mothers, Black tradeswomen, what has changed for women in the trades, and what hasn’t.  To learn more, visit Wincproject.org or email wincproject@philaworks.org.

In this episode of Today’s Rosie we hear from Gwen Gibson and her two teenage sons about growing up in a family where Mom is a tradeswoman.  Gwen works as a 1st Class Rail Vehicle Equipment Maintainer for SEPTA, the Southeast Pennsylvania Transit Authority.

In this episode of Today’s Rosie we hear from two welders who have very different jobs, but both see themselves as artists and tradeswomen.  Jennell Thomas is a track maintainer and self-employed 4th generation welder.  Sam Toggas is a welding fabricator who first trained as an artist.     

In this episode of Today’s Rosie we hear from Reverend Elaine McGuire, a Journey level Electrician with IBEW Local 98.  She has over 20 years of experience, often being both the only woman and only Black woman on construction sites in the Philadelphia region.  She tells us what she loves about her trade, how she got started and some of the challenges when you are an “only” on a job site and in the union. To learn more, visit Wincproject.org or email wincproject@philaworks.org

In this kick-off episode of Today’s Rosie we discuss the origins of the Women in Nontraditional Careers (WINC) project in the Philadelphia region and what the benefits are for women who pursue these careers.  Nicole Fuller is a founding member of Women in Nontraditional Careers and will discuss why this work is her passion. Nicole started her career as a tradeswoman and is a long-time advocate for workers. She is now the Executive Director of PhilaPOSH, the occupational safety and health advocacy organization and serves on the WINC Steering Committee.   Nicole also co-chairs the WINC Outreach and Education Team with interviewer Miya McAfee.  Miya is a Youth Representative at Philadelphia Works who works to create career pathway programs for young people in Philadelphia’s high schools and career and technical education programs. To learn more, visit Wincproject.org or email wincproject@philaworks.org