Pioneering Women in the Plumbing Industry

A Jill of all Trades: Celebrating Women’s History Month

Many of the rights, freedoms, and luxuries we enjoy today were built on the work of giants - people who led, created, fought and innovated their way through history. And while a vast majority of these individuals we remember are men, many of these brilliant pioneers and trailblazers were, in fact, women.

As the celebration of women’s history month kicks off, here’s a look at how these daring women have shaped the trades in the plumbing industry.

Women in the Plumbing Industry

While women have made huge strides in different fields throughout history, there are still plenty of predominantly male industries. The plumbing industry is one of them. As of 2017, a meager 2% of the plumbing workforce is female, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics describing their 10% participation in the construction industry as ‘substantially underrepresented’.

Women might still have a long way to go in breaking this industry’s glass ceiling, but exceptions to this persistent trend exist - female figures who have bucked the trend and set the standard for what women can and will achieve.

From Social Club to Agents of Change

When the Ladies Auxiliary Committee for the National Association of Plumbers was formed at the turn of the 20th century, it was little more than a social club for the wives of the plumbers attending the annual plumber’s conferences. Initially managed entirely by men, the committee was created as a way for the ladies to mingle and entertain themselves while the men assembled. But as history would have it, the committee was destined to be more than just a passing distraction.

After turning over the committee to the women in 1919, the group began to evolve from its role in supporting the men’s plumbing careers into a platform for social change and advocacy. Throughout the years, the women of this committee actively worked on issues that affected the environment, sanitation and health, and labor. Their work helped advance key legislation, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act, while their lobbying efforts supported the push for women’s rights, including the right to vote.

Paving the Way for Women in Plumbing

One can’t talk about women in the plumbing industry without mentioning Lillian Ann Baumbach. At 21, she became the first woman in history to pass the plumbing exam in 1951 and become a master plumber. The daughter of J.W. Baumbach, one of the local plumbers in Arlington, VA, Lillian grew up helping her father run the business until she entered the trades and made a name for herself.

As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Lillian initially found herself making headlines for her looks and not her abilities, but the attention, though sexist, put the spotlight on the changing gender roles and expectations of that time. Women were making an impact not just in the plumbing industry but in the workforce in general, proving that they were just as capable as their male counterparts.

About B&D Plumbing, Heating & A/C

B&D Plumbing, Heating & A/C provides reliable plumbing, heating, and cooling services in St. Michael, MN. Their industry-leading team of experts can deliver a full range of plumbing and HVAC solutions using the latest technology and a fully stocked truck ready to resolve any problem instantly. Upfront pricing and round-the-clock availability also make them the go-to team in the community. Call them today for professional plumbing services in St. Michael, MN.

Contact Information:

B & D Plumbing, Heating & A/C

4145 MacKenzie Ct NE
St. Michael, MN 55376
United States

Tracy Daleiden
(763) 497-2290
https://www.bdplumbers.com/