• Posted: March 29, 2022
• carole ramsden, chicago women in trades, IBEW Local 134, latisa kindred, sisters of ibew

When asked how she’d describe her association with the Sisters of IBEW Local 134, union electrician and executive committee member Latisa Kindred put it simply: “We have genuinely grown into a sisterhood.” It’s a sentiment echoed by nearly 200 other active members, whose association with the committee over the past seven years has led to a tight-knit bond of women dedicated to serving their community and one another. 

The organization is the first group to discuss and address issues relevant to the women of IBEW Local 134 that’s lasted for years. Founded in 2015, they serve a variety of purposes, including to support one another as women in the industry, to provide a venue for sisterhood, and to provide new apprentices and younger journeypersons with guidance.

“It’s… a place to foster a culture of solidarity and mentorship among ourselves,” said executive committee member Carole Ramsden. “And also to provide inspiration for younger women who may still be in high school or graduating high school… to try to inspire younger women to get involved in the electrical trade and continue building and strengthening sisterhood.”

The start of a sisterhood 

While the committee now hosts frequent meetings, social events and more, the Sisters of IBEW Local 134 started as an online support forum. What began as a Facebook group formed by three members of IBEW Local 134 (and later, an off-site meeting at the Women Build Nations conference in California), the group soon blossomed into a formal hall meeting with more than 50 members in attendance.

“Our first meeting at the hall was in July of 2015, and there were 60 women that showed up, and it was just the greatest thing since sliced bread,” said Kindred.

From there, the organization has built itself into a thriving network of more than 200 career-driven women. It’s also the first time a group like this has been built to last: until now, previous attempts at organizing a women’s chapter have failed to garner lasting support. 

Tackling industry challenges

Today, the Sisters of IBEW Local 134 gather monthly to discuss women’s and workplace issues. One of the Sisters’ goals is to help new members thrive in the industry by helping them take advantage of professional development and educational opportunities.

Additionally, committee members often attend community events to strengthen their bond with other women in the trades. A group of Sisters recently attended the Chicago Women in Trades meeting, where members led presentations on trade opportunities and participated in team-building events.

“We not only put on this great show where these women get to do this hands-on stuff, but then we get to share our experience, which is powerful for the women that we’re talking to,” said Kindred. “But it’s also powerful for us [to share] with each other, to just hear where we’re at in our careers and in our lives, and how those two things intertwine.”

Creating a safe social space 

The group aims to create a fun and welcoming space for women of all backgrounds to feel safe, supported and connected. From conference trips to summer cookouts to Christmas karaoke and Taco Tuesdays (which, the group points out, are irreverently held on Thursdays), the Sisters have created a unique platform for self-expression in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

“It’s really important to create a female network within our industry,” said Sara Demes, President of the Sisters of the IBEW. “There are a lot of women that are electricians, but we’re really spread out so it can be very lonely when you’re the only woman on a job or the only woman at your company. But when you know that there are other women out there that are also the ‘only ones’, it doesn’t feel as lonely.”

Tips for aspiring female electricians 

The group’s advice to younger journey workers? “I think one of the main things would be to get your electrical license,” said Ramsden. “And that will put you in a much stronger position with your contractor.”

“And never stop educating yourself,” continued Kindred. “Don’t get comfortable in anything that you do. Always be willing and open to learning and growing, whether it’s taking advantage of our degree program or taking night school classes. Always, always be tooling up to make sure that if something comes up, you’re able to step up and do as best as you can.”

With a vibrant community like the Sisters of IBEW Local 134 ready to help them flourish, it’s safe to say aspiring women electricians will do more than the best they can — someday, they’ll help their fellow sisters do their best, too.