C.D. Smith Journeywoman Carpenter

https://youtube.com/watch?v=k9vIFKeaBRM%3Ffeature%3Doembed

LaSonya Donald was training to be an automotive technician and studying human services at Milwaukee Area Technical College when she enrolled in her first carpentry class.

“I actually fell in love with it, so I stuck with it,” Donald said.

Upon graduating, Donald enrolled in BIG STEP, or Building Industry Group Skilled Trades Employment Program, an initiative created to increase the number of women, minorities and young workers employed in the building trades. BIG STEP partnered with WRTP in 2002 to form WRTP I BIG STEP. WRTP, or Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership, was created in the 1990s to renew Milwaukee’s industrial base after the recovery of manufacturing, retirement of an aging workforce and diversification of the regional economy created a growing skills shortage. Now operating as one organization, WRTP I BIG STEP is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit workforce intermediary dedicated to connecting people to self-sustaining jobs.

“I enrolled myself into the program BIG STEP, and actually, I started working on a job for them. It was in a factory, but it was for making parts for the Northwestern Mutual project. So I was actually working for the Glazier’s Union. ” Donald said.

Donald assembled window parts for the Northwestern Mutual project before eventually joining the Carpenter’s Union.

Donald says being a woman in construction is amazing.

“It’s full of opportunities. Currently, I serve on the Sisterhood in the Brotherhood committee of the carpenter’s union. And also, I give the men opportunities to relax and trust a woman to do the job. Get the job done,” Donald said.

Donald’s advice to younger women interested in pursuing a career in construction is to be confident.

“You have to have confidence in yourself. You have to have confidence in your work. If you don’t, no one’s going to believe in you,” Donald said. “Being a woman in construction is equivalent to playing sports. I ran track when I was younger. Not everyone will cheer you on, but you have to remain motivated and really want a career in construction.”

She says she will continue encouraging more women to pursue a career in construction and urge her colleagues to avoid stereotyping women to make construction a more inclusive industry.