Platt Construction Flagger

Deborah Green went away to college to pursue her dreams and study theatre. College wasn’t working out due to financial reasons, and Green moved home. Green’s father and uncles worked in construction, and Green says her father used to share stories about his days on the job site, specifically about a particular heavy machinery operator. Green says she remembers asking her father if the operator was a Black man.

“And he said, ‘no baby. They don’t let Black men get on the equipment.’ And I said they’re going to let this Black woman. And I went into heavy equipment operations. That’s what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Green completed her heavy equipment operating program and kicked off her career in Illinois. However, it wasn’t an easy start.

“I was flagging there. I wanted to be an operator. I went to several companies trying to be an operator. Each time I was turned down. I was always told this: I was Black, and I was a woman.”

Green faced adversity during her time working in construction in Illinois and Wisconsin. Green says she wanted to get hired as a heavy equipment operator, but no one would give her a chance. She sued an employer for discrimination and won.

“But I chose not to take the money. I want to get hired. And that’s what they did. They hired me on, but I went through that.”

Green moved on to work for the laborers’ union and now works as a flagger on the Wisconsin Center expansion project.

Her advice to young women interested in a career in construction is to be encouraged.

“Don’t give up, don’t give out, and don’t give in. Just pursue, keep doing it. Because days are better now. They’re much better than they were in the past.”

Although she faced many challenges, Green says she’s grateful to be a woman in construction.

“I’m happy it made me very independent. It showed me self-worth. I would recommend it.”

Green says employers can make construction a more inclusive industry by being truthful to the words ‘equal-opportunity employer.’

These days, Green is setting her sights on a new business venture in addition to her construction career, her Christian clothing line I’ve Got Your Back.

She already has t-shirts and hats for sale.