During activities leading up to the 39th International Convention, some 400 delegates attended a meeting of the IBEW Women’s Caucus, with all genders represented.
Carolyn J. Williams, director of IBEW’s Civic and Community Engagement, led the program, which included panel discussions, on inclusion and organizing, and personal stories of IBEW women, or “HerStories.”
“We want to honor our history, but most of all, we’re here to make it. And that’s something the women’s caucus—and all our IBEW sisters—do every day,” said International President Lonnie R. Stephenson. “We’re going to be writing the next chapter of IBEW history starting next week. And you’re a vital part of it. We’ve made a lot of progress. But we still have a long way to go,” Stephenson said.
Local 213’s Business Manager Adam Van Steinburg took part in the panel discussion on including women in the trades. Van Steinburg mentioned Local 213’s “20 by 20” initiative to get 20 percent of apprenticeship applications from women by 2020.
“Achieving that goal will take work from everyone in our Local,” he said.