By DON McINTOSH
It was the largest gathering of its kind in the world. From Dec. 1-3, North America’s Building Trades Unions hosted its 13th “Women Build Nations” conference in Washington, D.C. Close to 3,900 registered attendees whooped and hollered, paraded down the streets of the nation’s capital, and committed to increasing women’s participation in the trades.
United Association of Plumbers (UA) had the largest contingent, 850, including 40 who traveled from Tualatin-headquartered UA Local 290. Local 290 rep Nichet Newsome said when she first went to the conference in 2007, there were only a couple dozen UA members from around the country. The UA international has been promoting the event heavily in its publication sent to members.
There were also sizable contingents also from the Laborers, Ironworkers (including Local 29, below), Electrical Workers, and Carpenters.
For UA Local 290 rep Ashley Haysom, left, the highlight was the banner parade, in which each local and international lined up and marched together. “It was the most exciting and interactive part of the conference,” Haysom said. “We got to march through the streets chanting and showing our pride.”
Next year, Women Build Nations will take place Sept. 27-29 in New Orleans.
12/18/23 CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story provided incorrect dates for the 2024 Tradeswomen Build Nations conference. The event will take place Sept. 27-29.
