Women@Work committee of laborers local 737
Women@Work is much more than just a committee chapter of our local. It’s a place where our sisters & brothers alike can come together, chat, offer support to one another in times of stress, and give back to the community around us. From volunteering to reside homes for the elderly, making carekits for a local shelter, creating a hygiene supply drive for a women’s shelter and coordinating meet up events.
women@work reaches far & wide for our community members.
✦"Movements happen, when women rise"
✦"Movements happen, when women rise"
Ground breakers, movement makers - staple women of Women@Work
Lori Baumann is the original founder of this committee. She’s a proud laborer, you could find Lori out in the field building bridges, but now she has a position with NROC(Northwest Regional Organizing Coalition) . What sparked Lori was attending The Women Build Nations conferences, and seeing other trades steadily increase the number of women they employed. Lori, along with other LiUNA Women (Jodi Guetzloe- Parker & Aida Aranda) put their minds together to start their own women’s caucus.
“A meal after work was a great way to convince members to come. And the meeting was born. We just kind of made it up as we went, but I’m so proud of the life it’s taken now and what a great group it’s become”
Jodi Guetzloe - Parker is a proud retired union member. Jodi was the one who restarted W@W committee after a short dormancy period after she was asked to pick 4 women to attend The Women Build Nations conference in Minneapolis. With approval from our business manager quote “We just ran with it…direction unknown but we did it! I really meant it when I said I was the accidental activist” Jodi is retired after 33 years of being in our union. She’s been in the political scene, fighting for our rights, and helping re - spark this wonderful Women’s Committee.
Gabi Beamer is the current chief of operations of W@W. She curates meet up events, finds & rounds up hands for volunteer opportunities, and overall keeps organizations while running in person & hybrid meetings. Gabi went through the laborers apprenticeship, quickly moving through the ranks to journey worker, a skilled concrete hand building Portland’s skyline of downtown. Then to foreman status, running her own crew of laborers. Now she’s an instructor for her union hall, the growth in such a short period of time is remarkable. Gabi loves all the time and energy that goes into running Women@Work, it’s a huge piece of pride & passion for her.
It takes community
“Battle ships don’t turn on a dime”
W@W set up a hygiene supply drive for a local women’s shelter. We collected over 3 OVER FLOWING tote bins of supplies for women who need it most in the Portland Metro area.
We ran a supply drive to make carekits for a local non profit serving the houseless community (Blanchett House) We managed to make over 2 dozen care kits from supplies donated by our members! Special thank you to Lori Baumann, Felisha Senske & Kraigen Perkins for being a huge help with donations!
Jani Turner, union laborer, apprenticeship coordinator, and proud W@W member working on a Saturday to repaint an elderly residents house who faced eviction. Working with WA CO outreach program was gratifying experience.
We set up a food donation bin at our local union hall to support Snowcap, a Gresham food pantry that helps families facing food insecurities.
Big thank you to our amazing business rep Anjanet Banuelos - Bolanos for having Majestic (a local PPE manufacturer) come chat with our committee members a few months ago, about more women centered PPE. Majestic took our constructive criticism and made a line of WOMEN’S safety vests! Thank you Majestic for listening! Inclusivity benefits the whole.
These vests fit like a DREAM!
First volunteer event of the year was with Portland Public Parks stewardship program. We removed invasive English Ivy & Vinca. There was also 100 native plants planted to promote biodiversity in the Woods Memorial natural area.
Thank you to our journey workers Quill Onstead & Christine Reed for volunteering!
LiUNA local 737 represented at SheBrew! An all female brew & cider fest. Thank you Dana Klemple & Chelsea Shaffer for volunteering!
Fast & Fun times being had with women@Work -
The Women Build Nations Conference Seattle circa 2018
The Women Build Nations circa 2022 Washington DC
Original Women@Work meeting snapshot!
Annual river float! Floating down the Clackamas river, laughing all the way.
NEW!
The Women Build Nations Conference Las Vegas NV 2021
The Women Build Nations 2024 New Orleans, Louisianna.
Dinner with our committee members before a Portland Winterhawks game!
Women@Work got spooky with it this October with a haunted house meet up! Scary good times!
Building community, 1 laborer at a time.
Building community, 1 laborer at a time.
Let’s hear from some of our members -
“My opinion? Well I love w@w! I love how we all raise each other up, help one another with different situations whether at work or home. Thank you all for that!”
“I look forward to every second Thursday of the month!”
“Women@Work is community, sisterhood, and resilience”
“In a predominantly male dominated field, it feels great to get with other women in our trade who can really understand what a hard day can look like”
POPULAR
Wanna represent W@W? Snag a Zombie Rosie Hoodie or T-shirt!
WE ARE A NON PROFIT COMMITTEE - COST OF THE SHIRT/PULLOVER IS JUST THE COST TO HAVE IT MADE.
Pullover hoodies are $35 & T-shirts are $15. Shipping is available!
“W@W is a long standing committee for a damn good reason!”
Skilled work isn't cheap. Cheap work isn't skilled.
Skilled work isn't cheap. Cheap work isn't skilled.
Wanna place an order? Let’s do it!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Lucky37Creations
Women@Work is a NON PROFIT COMMITTEE. Cost of the merch is purely the cost to have it made.
We appreciate the support. Send in action shots of wearing your gear!