Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT)

Today, we recognize Juneteenth. On this day 161 years ago, federal troops came to Galveston, Texas, to ensure that all enslaved people were freed. Today, we remember those who experienced the inhumane and abusive conditions of slavery and honor the continued resilience of the Black community in both the past and present.

At CWIT, we know that true freedom comes with equal career opportunities and economic independence. Join us in applauding the Black women and gender-diverse tradespeople in our community who work hard every day to pave the way for the future and help to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

Le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender, and q***r (LGBTQ+) workers continue to face significant pay inequities driven by discrimination. Pay equity is a right, not a privilege.

The lack of pay data on sexual orientation and gender identity makes it harder to identify and address pay gaps. Now, a federal agency wants to stop collecting basic data. We can’t fix what we can’t see.

On this LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Awareness Day, we urge you to stand up for workplace equity by joining AAUW’s Action Network.

https://share.equalrights.org/s/iOYjeYfX

On Saturday, students in our Technical Opportunities Program (TOP) received hands-on training during UA Day at CWIT.

Tradeswomen from the United Association led interactive sessions, teaching students plumbing, pipefitting, sprinkler fitting, welding, materials handling, and more.

By learning alongside these expert tradeswomen, TOP students were given a firsthand look at the diverse career paths and opportunities available to women in the skilled trades.

Thank you to all of the tradeswomen who came to make Saturday special for our TOP students!

If training like this interests you, visit our website at https://cwit.org/training/ to learn how to get started building your own career in construction.

Join us in congratulating our Spring Women in Welding graduates!

After ten weeks of hard work, hands-on training, and dedication, these students have finally graduated and are ready to take the welding and manufacturing industry by blaze.

Thank you to our guest speaker, 26th Ward Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, for coming to our ceremony and giving these new welders some words of encouragement.

Inspired by these graduates? Ready to start the welding career of your dreams? Get started today and learn more by visiting our website at https://cwit.org/training/

Our Summer Open Houses start this month!

This summer, Chicago Women in Trades will host three in-person information sessions for aspiring tradeswomen to learn more about our free pre-apprenticeship programs. The first session will take place on Wednesday, June 24, from 4-6 p.m.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet CWIT staff and instructors and hear about the day-to-day experiences of women working in the trades.

Location:
Chicago Women in Trades
2444 W. 16th St., Suite 3
Chicago, IL 60608

Dates:
June 24, 2026
July 29, 2026
Aug 26, 2026

To RSVP, email CWIT Program Administrator, Ca'Ron King at [email protected]. Spots for these events are limited, so act fast!

From laborers and carpenters to roofers and ironworkers, many construction trades depend on forklifts to move heavy materials from one place to another on job sites. While convenient to use, forklifts can be dangerous, and trained tradespeople must follow safety measures to protect themselves and others.

To learn more about how tradespeople and contractors can promote and uplift safety on job sites, check out this article from Accident Injury Prevention at https://aipsafety.com/news/10-rules-of-forklift-safety-explained/

Congratulations to CWIT co-founder Wendy Pollack on receiving the Betty J. Willhoite Award at the Chicago Jobs Council's 45th Annual Meeting last Friday!

From union carpenter to attorney, Wendy spent nearly 30 years as director of the Women’s Law and Policy Initiative at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, where she shaped civil rights legislation at the city, state and federal levels on behalf of women and economically disadvantaged workers. She also served on CWIT’s board and is a current member of the Policy Committee.

The Chicago Jobs Council’s annual meeting brings together workforce development leaders to advance solutions for quality jobs across Chicago. The Betty J. Willhoite Award recognizes those who have gone above and beyond to advance workforce development. We can’t think of a more fitting honoree!

On Saturday, our Technical Opportunities Program (TOP) students went on two great field trips featuring tours and hands-on activities. They started the day in Tinley Park, visiting the Local 17 Insulators Union, then ended the day with the Sprinkler Fitters Local Union 281, U.A., in Alsip.

Thank you to the unions, instructors, and CWIT tradeswomen Luna and Alyssa for giving our students a great trip!

More information on our Technical Opportunities Program can be found on our website: https://cwit.org/training/

Thank you to Engage: Promoting Women's Economic Security for inviting the Director of our Equity Resource Center, Lark Jackson, to be a panelist at the 2026 State of the Majority Summit in Washington, D.C., this Wednesday. Engage works to advance the economic security of American women by promoting policy solutions.

The annual State of the Majority Summit connects leaders to address women's financial well-being, from caregiving to the skilled trades.

On the panel, Lark discussed ways to support women’s equitable entry and retention in the skilled trades alongside Dr. Lynn Shaw, Ariane Hegewisch, and Illiana Flores. We are also grateful to have met U.S. Rep Lauren Underwood, D-IL.

Our spring Women in Welding students have only one more week left before graduation! This week, students have been taking their final exams, practicing their t-joint welds, and working on final projects.

We're so excited to see this class graduate and take their next steps towards a thriving career in welding and manufacturing.

If you or someone you know is interested in sparking a new career in welding, please visit out website at https://cwit.org/training/