Oregon Tradeswomen’s biggest annual fundraiser doubles as a ceremony honoring tradewomen who are making a difference in their unions and in the community. This year’s dinner and auction took place Oct. 10 at the Rossi Farms event space in outer Northeast Portland and was emceed by drag queen Poison Waters. Those honored were:
- RaNon Chausee (left), a journeyman electrican and union steward with IBEW Local 48, was given the group’s Wanda Hall Legacy Award for her work with the American Rosie the Riveter Association, preserving the legacy of women who paved the way for today’s tradeswomen.
- Connie Ashbrook received the Equity Champion Award for founding Oregon Tradeswomen and serving as its full-time director from 1996 to 2017.
- Diana Loveall (right), a journeyman sheet metal worker and member of Local 16 at Streimer, was one of three to receive a Woman on the Rise award; in her case, it was for her exceptional skill and her mentorship of apprentices.
- Rachel Smith, an apprentice with Cement Masons Local 555, received the Woman on the Rise award for her determination, having distinguished herself as a top student and a mentor to others in a program connecting incarcerated women to second chance careers in the trades; she also volunteers with her union, mentors other women entering the trades, and has spoken with legislators as an advocate for the apprenticeship model.
- Sanjuana “Ely” Cruz-Frausto (center), foreman at R&H Construction, was honored as a Woman on the Rise for her work ethic and contributions to safety on the job.
Top sponsors of the event included NECA-IBEW Local 48, Mortenson, McKinstry, Laborers Local 737, and Associated Wall and Ceiling Contractors.
