The sound of power tools and the smell of saw dust hung in the air early Saturday morning as volunteers prepared for the 30th annual “Women in Trades” event to be held at the Seattle Center next Friday.
Volunteers prepare for Women in Trades event in King County Carpentry shop
King County participates in the event each year to highlight the rich heritage of women working in non-traditional or leadership roles at the county, and also to show the diverse career opportunities open to women in the county.
The Women in Trades event is a job fair for women seeking employment the craft or trade fields – where they have been traditionally under-representted. Many of the event booths allow participants to construct their own crafts.
King County has many divisions participating, including the Waste Water Treatment Division, Department of Transportation Metro Transit, the King County airport, the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, the Facilities Management Division and others.
This year, King County is hosting a booth that allows participants to build their own tool box. To prepare, volunteers gathered in the carpentry shop in the basement of the King County Courthouse to pre-cut hundreds of pieces of wood and doweling rods to be used at the event on Friday at Seattle Center.
Sara Rowan - first female plumber employed by King County, Sharon Walker - first female painter employed by King County, and Linda Romanovitch - first female carpenter employed by King County.
“We are very fortunate to have so many volunteers to help us get ready for such a wonderful event,” said Linda Romanovitch, who is helping to coordinate the event for the county’s Facilities Management Division. “When I started working at King County, I never could have imagined how many women would be willing to meet on a Saturday morning to help other women find jobs in the trades.” Linda’s career at King County began in 1984 when she was hired as the county’s first ever female carpenter. She has since risen to the level of Foreman and encourages women and young girls to explore careers in non-traditional fields.
Linda is one of the women featured in a display celebrating Women’s History Month in the tunnel between the Courthouse and the county Administration building that highlights the first women in King County to hold their positions.
For more information about the upcoming Women in Trades event, visit www.wawomenintrades.com.
Christine Lange
Stella
March 24, 2009
It’s nice that many King County Divisions are participated the Women in Trade job fair. Department of Transportation Road Services Division will be there too. We will have some fun outdoor activities and displays. Share this event with your friends and family. It’s this Friday, 3/27 from 9am-3pm at the Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion & Grounds.
sabrakc
March 24, 2009
Hello Stella,
Thanks very much for sharing the additional information.
Best,
Sabra Schneider
Arthur Bonnevie
March 22, 2010
I work in a Vocational School in MA, and would like to know where I can buy a DVD or CD about women in the carpentry trades, to share with my students grades 9-12
Thank you
Arthur Bonnevie
natashajones
April 1, 2010
Thanks for contacting us. Try contacting the Washington Women in Trades directly at http://www.wawomenintrades.com/ or (206) 903-9508. – Natasha