Meet Adrienne Bennett: A Plumbing Pioneer
Adrienne Bennett is a true plumbing pioneer that deserves credit. Homeowners should look towards her for black history month for inspiration and admiration.
Bennett is the first black woman to become a master plumber. This is a spectacular achievement, considering most master plumbers are white men. This wonderful and strong woman started her career at age 22 when she joined an apprenticeship. After the apprenticeship, she was able to work for herself.
Almost 40 years later, Adrienne Bennett owns her own contracting business, looking to help her community thrive!
How Did Adrienne Bennett Start in the Plumbing Industry?
Adrienne Bennett has always been an intelligent woman interested in science, technology, and engineering. Her start in the plumbing industry was slow and harsh! As a black master plumber in a mainly white-dominated trade, she felt out of place.
Even with these feelings and the bad experiences during her first few years, Adrienne Bennett did not give up! This plumbing master first started at an engineering firm. She felt out of place and experienced racially charged slurs, which made her stop her engineering career early.
This plumbing pioneer did not immediately jump into plumbing. Instead, she worked odd jobs throughout the years, doing anything she could to earn money and find her way.
From Apprentice To Contractor
One day out of the blue, a recruiter stops and talks to Adrienne Bennett, offering her a job that starts at 50,000 a year. This catches her attention, and she begins looking into the job offer and career.
The plumber contractor told her about the federally-sponsored apprenticeship program for skilled trades, and she jumped at the opportunity! Although the job only paid about $5.00 an hour, she learned a lot and started moving up the ladder!
In just a few years, she held positions including journeyman plumber, master plumber, project manager, plumbing inspector, and eventually code enforcement officer for the City of Detroit.
Her Life as an Independent Contractor
Adrienne Bennet's life did not stop as a master plumber, though. Now she owns her own business! She is an independent contractor with over thirty years of experience helping out her local community.
The skills she learned throughout her life and journey working as an apprentice to a contractor have enabled and pushed her to try something new. Instead of making just $5.00 an hour, this woman plumber makes nearly six times the amount!
In her business, she hopes to rebuild her community and provide opportunities for other minority women and men facing adversities in the trades! Now at 61, she is thriving and happier than ever!
About Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has been servicing the Northfield, MN area for approximately 35 years! This small family-owned company is growing, but their customer service and friendly technicians are still ready to help! Homeowners looking for excellent plumbing service should look no further!
