Celebrate Women’s History Month with Facts About Women in Plumbing
For most of human history, women have spent more time around the home raising kids and handling domestic affairs. Men, on the other hand, have been laborers, bringing in daily wages to support families. With the industrial revolution and other modern conveniences, women found themselves out of a job around the home, so they began to flood the workforce in the post-World War II economy.
One of the industries that stayed predominantly male was the plumbing industry. Despite advances in plumbing, the job still required long days and hard labor. However, with the invention of modern plastics, plumbing has become easier and lowered the entry barriers for women into the plumbing field.
In honor of women’s history month, here are some facts about women in the plumbing industry who contributed and still contribute to the development of modern plumbing.
Women in the Plumbing Industry
For those that think women are underrepresented in the field of plumbing, they are right. The trades have always lacked female inclusion, especially plumbing. Today the field is less than 5% female, but that number continues to grow.
Plumbing offers exciting opportunities to women. Most apprenticeships offer paid training and even reimbursement for classes. After working on the job for several hours, apprentices test to become journeymen and master plumbers. Master plumbers enjoy high wages and usually become business owners who can hire other workers. With plumbing being one of the oldest demographics in the nation, job prospects virtually guarantee a good-paying job with rapid advancement.
Ladies Auxiliary Committee for the National Association of Plumbers
In the late 1800s, the National Association of Plumbers was formed as a union to protect the rights of plumbers. During conventions held annually, the union members would bring their wives to the host city. Eventually, a committee was formed to entertain the wives while their husbands were in meetings. With the passage of suffrage, women took over the Ladies Auxiliary Committee for the National Association of Plumbers and got to work. They led efforts to educate the public about waterborne diseases and started a committee to influence businesses to offer public lavatories. Indeed, public restrooms may only exist with their influence.
The Pretty Plumber
Lillian Ann Baumbach was the first woman to shatter the glass ceiling in the plumbing industry. Born the daughter of a plumber, she was raised going to the job site and working with her dad. By age 21, she had accrued enough training to sit for the master plumbing test. She passed on her first attempt while taking the test with six other men, only two of whom passed.
Her achievements gained her national notoriety and caught the eye of many troops deployed to Korea. She became a pen pal to over 250 GIs and considered her correspondence with them a high priority. She was elected president of her father’s company and stayed until she retired in 1989.
About Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has the local plumbing experts that every homeowner needs. With personalized plumbing solutions for everything, including drain cleaning and water heaters, they have the skills to solve every problem. Call today for guaranteed plumbing service in Northfield, MN.
