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Boilermaker women represent at 2025 Tradeswomen Build Nations Emily Alford had never been to a Tradeswomen Build Nations conference, and she didn’t know anyone there. The Local 580 (Halifax, Nova Scotia) Boilermaker had traveled alone from Canada to the 2025 event at Chicago’s massive McCormick Place Conference Center. But, she quickly found good company in more than 100 Boilermaker women and allies among the nearly 6,000 people who gathered Sept. 19 to 21 to learn about issues facing tradeswomen, discover advocacy and paths to leadership, share ideas and find inspiration in featured speakers—and one another. Alford, who attended the event through a Boilermakers scholarship offered via nomination to each International Vice President section, says she had no idea what to expect. She was blown away by the experience. “Just listening to stories, I didn’t expect to be moved as much as I was,” she said. “Walking into the room with all the booths was incredible, and even just being around the town a little bit, as soon as you see another group from the conference—not even just our union—every union is so welcoming.” Alford doesn’t come from a union family and is a fairly new union member. Tradeswomen Build Nations provided the perfect example of the power built when working people come together, especially when those people are union tradeswomen and allies. The event is considered the largest gathering of union tradeswomen in the world. “Fifteen years ago, a few hundred tradeswomen gathered to spark a movement. Today we stand here thousands strong,” said Sean McGarvey, president of North Americas Building Trades Unions. NABTU began shouldering TWBN hosting duties when the event grew from its origins as a California State Building Trades event to the large-scale multi-nation conference it is today. This year, TradesFutures co-hosted the conference with NABTU under the theme “She’s not waiting. She’s leading,” emphasizing women in leadership. In addition to NABTU’s Garvey, featured plenary speakers included AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler; Bechtel’s President of Manufacturing & Technology Business Catherine Hunt Ryan; President of the Military Women’s Memorial Foundation Phyllis Wilson; TradesFutures Executive Director Marina Zhavoronkova; and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. But for Boilermakers, perhaps the most impactful keynote came from within. Local 455 (Muscle Shoals, Alabama) apprentice Cheyenne Gregory shared her inspiring story about how a career in the trades—and a place in the Boilermakers union—changed her life. “I found my family within the trades, within the Boilermakers,” she said as she detailed her journey from living in an abusive family to thriving as a Boilermaker. “In my one year as a Boilermaker, I’ve had more people believe in me, support me, trust in my abilities than I did in my first two years of trying to start my career.” (Watch for a future Reporter story about Gregory.) Making the moment all the more special, an entourage of Boilermaker sisters and advocates escorted Gregory to the stage, and Local 549 (Pittsburg, California) Boilermaker and business agent Rennae Ross gave her introduction. Ross was able to share some of her path to the trades, the Boilermakers and leadership as well. “I learned one of the best lessons of my career: sometimes you just have to say yes, even when it scares you,” she told the crowd. Completing a Boilermaker trifecta, Ross was introduced by Local 693 (Pascagoula, Mississippi) Boilermaker and Diversity Organizing and Recruiting Initiatives Coordinator, M.O.R.E. WIF, Erica Stewart. Stewart serves on the TWBN committee and has co-emceed the event for several years. In addition to plenary sessions, TWBN attendees chose from a variety of workshops covering everything from legislative lobbying to childcare. And, as with past years, an abundant exhibit hall and a banner parade were event highlights. The banner parade groups unions together to show their craft pride, cheer and showcase unionism as attendees take to the host city streets. This year, the Boilermaker delegation carried branded union pennants and included several International Vice Presidents, as well as International President Timothy Simmons. Simmons encouraged marching Boilermakers to give their pennants to children who lined the route—as much a delight to the kids as it was to those who watched little faces light up with joy. “I’m loving every minute of this,” Simmons said as he walked the parade. “It is an honor to be able to stand beside the members of this International as we promote diversity in our trade. We need to support everyone. No matter what race, religion, color, creed or gender, it is our obligation as union members to support one another, stand beside one another and work toward a better future for all.” Each trade also facilitated a private caucus session. In the Boilermakers caucus, Simmons provided an overview of priorities for the union and talked about the union’s future. He also opened the floor for questions and listened as women shared their concerns and ideas. “I didn’t really know what being in a union meant,” said L-580’s Alford said after the parade and caucus. “And being able to be here and seeing what being a part of the union is really supposed to be is absolutely amazing. It’s about having the back of the person who’s standing beside you. It empowers me to be able to go back and get to work to advocate for women in the union.” — Dec 9
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Local 549 and the Rosies’ Red Oak Revival Rennae Ross knew how to fix the rusted-out gunnery platform. Ross, a Local 549 (Pittsburg, California) Boilermaker, thought this as she toured the SS Red Oak Victory—the last surviving vessel out of 747 World War II ships built at Kaiser Shipyard in Richmond, California. Now berthed as a floating history museum not far from where she was built, the SS Red Oak shows her age in weathered wood and tarnish. Volunteers do their best to keep up with repairs. But on her bow, the gunnery foredeck was off limits to visitors like Ross—a spot that would otherwise provide a fantastic vantage of San Francisco Bay and the perfect photo perch for history-loving tourists and visiting veterans. Rust had gobbled massive, jagged holes in the deck plate, making it unsafe. But Ross knew how to fix it. “I said, I can do that,” she recalled. “I spent the majority of my career replacing old tank roofs and things like that, and it’s exactly the same thing.” Exactly—just on a boat; a vessel built in part by the original WWII Rosie the Riveters. And Ross, who is a “modern-day Rosie,” a business agent for her local lodge and a U.S. Marine veteran, wanted to do something about it. L-549 Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Randy Thomas, was touring the ship with Ross and fellow L-549 Boilermaker Angel Greer. He remembers Ross and Greer lighting up at an idea: Could Boilermaker women work on the ship and help restore a piece of American history? Local 549 was on board, and as the idea marinated informally over some months, real connections began forming that aligned Ross, Greer, Local 549 and several organizations that could make it happen. For starters, Local 549 and the Western States Section have a longstanding partnership with Rosie the Riveter Trust, the philanthropic partner of Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historic Park. The SS Red Oak Victory is one of a dozen sites in Richmond comprising the urban national historic park. In 2024, Ross and Greer had traveled to Washington, D.C., with Rosie the Riveter Trust and met 30 of the original Rosies when the Congressional Gold Medal was bestowed to honor all World War II Rosies. There, they met K. Lynn Berry, who is the Superintendent of Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historic Park. Ross reached out to float her SS Red Oak Victory idea with Berry when they met, and afterward, she says, “the emails started flying. We started getting people from the Richmond Museum Association and others involved, and before you know it, it’s like, ok, this is happening!” The idea quickly grew, tying in a variety of organizations, donors and other union craft who decided union tradeswomen would work together over a two-week period, calling it the Victory Ship Revival Project with the goal to complete a punch list spiffing up the SS Red Oak. The project just needed a date. With Rosie the Riveter Trust’s 25th anniversary on the horizon, 10 months away, what better way to honor the original Rosies and the national park dedicated to them? And, what better way to raise awareness of Rosie Trust, the SS Red Oak and its benefactors, not to mention the Boilermakers and other union trades? “The Victory Ship Revival Project became the flagship project helping celebrate the park’s 25th anniversary and we were thrilled to add it to our year of exciting events,” said Sarah Pritchard, Executive Director of Rosie the Riveter Trust. “Boilermakers have been with us each step of the way. I just give my gratitude to (IVP-Western States) Tom Baca, because without him, we wouldn’t have been introduced to the incredible support and the work of what it really takes to be a Boilermaker.” Ross, Pritchard and representatives from all organizations involved began planning logistics for the work to take place Aug. 17 to Sept. 1, a media day Aug. 21 and sponsorships. “We had a lot of our signatory contractors come in, and they were big supporters,” Ross notes. “We were able to get equipment, tools, consumables and, obviously, all of the labor donated.” PMI donated KNAACK boxes full of consumables, tools and equipment. Nooter and B&W provided funds and other vital equipment for the work event. Of note: B&W built and installed the original boilers on the SS Red Oak Victory—which still run today. Oceanwide Repair, one of the signatory ship repair shops, helped with consulting and re-bent the original handrails to be re-installed. As plans shaped up, Rosie the Riveter Trust and the SS Red Oak Victory used their communications channels to get the word out. News outlets were interested in seeing what the modern-day Rosies were up to and eager to tell the story of the SS Red Oak Victory. By the time the formal media day celebration rolled around, major media outlets, including the L.A. Times, TV networks and others had already paid a visit to the vessel to catch the women at work. Modern-day Rosies, including Boilermakers, Pipefitters, Ironworkers and members of the pile-drivers’ union, among others and including a few men, started demolition, dismantling old railings, tearing out rust-eaten patches, and lowering pieces from the ship by rope—all under the leadership of Ross serving as foreman. Then the next phases began: cutting out gussets, adding repatch, sanding, grinding and, of course, welding. Lots of welding. “We’re making it sturdy—and for aesthetics,” Greer said. “Nobody wants to come out and be like ‘there’s a hole in your metal!’ How safe would you feel on a ship with holes in it, sitting on water?!” “Our L-549 Boilermaker Women at Work Committee immediately just rallied behind it and were so excited,” Ross said. “They all wanted to volunteer 100% of the time, but we know that’s just not possible.” She said everyone in all the crafts worked well together and learned from one another. Additionally, women new to the trades got a chance to work with journeywomen and have new hands-on experiences. “We’re able to let people get that experience they might not have been able to get on a jobsite yet,” she said. “We’re bringing apprentices and teaching them. Here, we have the time to sit down with them and show them how to gouge and to load a stinger and just let them know it’s going to be ok.” L-549 helper Anna Doyle made her first welding pass outside of a welding booth adding a patch on the bow under the watchful instruction of Greer. “It felt like it all just clicked. It was so nice to be able to apply what I’ve learned in the shop in real life,” Doyle said, beaming with pride and high-fiving Greer. “Working with Angel was awesome. She’s super helpful. She’s guiding me, she’s helping me and she’s giving me real life experience right now. It feels good. Really good.” Also working with the modern Rosies were the SS Red Oak Victory volunteers—a core group of crew, mostly retirees and veterans, who work regularly to maintain what they can. Mark Epperson, Director of the SS Red Oak Victory, said of the 35 regular crew volunteers, only 20 can do restoration work. “This has been a godsend, and we were so delighted when we met Rennae,” he said. “She’s been the ramrod of this whole thing. I’ve met all the modern Rosies who’ve been out here, and I think I’ve talked all of them into volunteering [regularly]. The crew is so impressed with the professionalism, expertise and dedication. This project has really jump-started us to be able to finish.” By finish, he means their ultimate restoration goal: Making the SS Red Oak Victory ready to safely sail and move closer to Rosie the Riveter National Park Visitor Center on the other side of Santa Fe Channel. With all hands on deck, work only stopped for lunch breaks, sundown and, of course, during the media day celebration speeches. Media day brought more news crews, dignitaries and elected officials out to talk about the project, tour the ship and watch the modern Rosies at work. News coverage spanned far beyond the Bay Area and resulted in later interviews with the BBC and a long-form CBS piece that will air at a later date. But the most important guests were four original WWII Rosies, tucked under a tent to quietly witness their work restored. “This is wonderful,” said Marian Sousa, who was a draftsman at the Kaiser Shipyard from 1943-1944. “And for them to want to volunteer is fantastic.” For Jeanne Gibson, who was a welder at Todd Pacific Shipyard in Seattle during WWII, watching the Boilermaker women gave her hope. “It means they’re going to carry on,” she said. That’s exactly Ross’s intention. “I still can’t stop smiling,” she said. “Every time I think about that—that full-circle moment for them as well, and just the honor of being on board such an amazing vessel, because of the history it has. The fact that this was all spearheaded by Boilermakers is something that makes me really proud.” After the two-week revival project, work remains to be done on the SS Red Oak Victory and is ongoing. Tradeswomen volunteers and regular crew volunteers continue working their way along her decks and railings, but their work has already put a shine on the ship and its history museum. Plus, it's raised awareness for volunteers, funding and put unions, skilled trades and tradeswomen in the spotlight. “My hope is that we’ve honored the Rosies, but also that we’ve highlighted and honored the hundreds and thousands of Boilermakers who worked out here during WWII,” Ross said. “We continue to honor the legacy of the Rosies, but also the Boilermakers and this remaining piece of Boilermakers’ history as well.” As for the gunnery deck? Ross is fixing it. — Dec 4
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Two Western States Boilermakers named Tradeswoman Heroes Jessica Albright and Denesha Sotelo are the latest Boilermaker women to be named as Tradeswomen Heroes by North Americas Building Trades Union. Albright, who is journeyworker from Local 627 (Phoenix), received the honor in October. “Both [Jessica] and her husband Tyler are Boilermakers,” said L-627 BM-ST Jacob Evenson, who nominated her. “Jessica signed up as a single mother, joined the union and now has a great career. She’s a proud Diné (Navajo) woman, a wife, mother of two and a tradeswoman. Her story reflects the resilience, growth and pride that define a union Boilermaker.” Sotelo, a Local 92 (Los Angeles) apprentice, received the honor in November. “Denesha stands as a powerful example of what it means to be a hardworking tradeswoman,” said L-92 member Jamesee Yoakum, who is a past TWBN Hero honoree and nominated Sotelo. “As a wife and mother of three, she continues to show up every day, giving her all to her work, her training and her family. Her resilience, strength and commitment make her a role model for women in the trades and for anyone striving to overcome obstacles.” To nominate a Boilermaker sister as a hero Click Here — Dec 4
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Boot Camp hooked Local 108’s Loyd Nathaniel Loyd from Local 108 (Birmingham, Alabama) started on his union journey at a Boilermaker Boot Camp. Four years later, he captured Apprentice of the Year at the 2025 National Apprenticeship Competition, sponsored by the Boilermaker National Apprenticeship Program. Loyd’s achievement reflects years of hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence in the trade. Loyd first learned about the Boilermakers through a friend and fellow L-108 member Abbott Dempsey, who told him about the opportunities in the union and also about a Tennessee Boot Camp. “Abbott was also first generation,” Loyd said. “He was going to attend the very first Boot Camp class, and that’s what got me interested in joining.” That first boot camp led to four years of hands-on apprenticeship training, and that journey ultimately took Loyd to the National Competition. When his name was announced as the national winner, Loyd described the moment as both unexpected and deeply rewarding. “I was surprised and excited that all my work and studying had paid off,” he said. “It was an incredible feeling.” Representing Local 108 and the Southeast Area was a point of pride for Loyd. He was very excited to represent his local and all the dedicated journeymen, apprentices and the L-108 apprenticeship program. “We have a strong tradition of skill and brotherhood.” Throughout his journey to the title, Loyd credits the Boilermakers who helped him develop his craft during his apprenticeship years. Many Boilermakers mentored him and helped him along the way, journeymen and apprentices alike. Scott Smith from Local 108 showed him how to rig. Butch Roberts and Joel Miller, both from Local 108, taught him how to tube weld on a waterwall. Chris Byrd from Local 37 (New Orleans) and Ruben Medina from Local 433 (Tampa, Florida) helped him understand and work in nuclear power plants. “The Boilermakers is definitely a brotherhood more than anything, especially on the job,” Loyd said. “It seems like no matter where you're at, you know, you're still union—union Boilermakers. And it's always a good group of people.” To prepare for the competition, Loyd devoted himself to both study and practice. “It was a lot of book work—OSHA, LMS—and a lot of hands-on training like welding, torch cutting, arc gouging and tube rolling,” he said. The written tests proved to be the most challenging part for Loyd. He said the hardest part for both the regional and national competitions were “definitely the written tests, along with the tube rolling and cutting out, since I had never done that on a job before,” he said. Known simply as “Loyd” among his peers, he said the competition taught him a lot about himself. “I learned that I prefer hands-on work rather than sitting in front of a computer,” he said. “I also realized how many different facets there are to boilermaking, including power plants, refineries, paper mills, steel mills and much more.” Above all, Loyd credits his success to the people who supported him most, his family and his wife. “I want to thank my family for instilling a hard work ethic and a willingness to learn,” he said. “And I’d love to thank my wife for being there every step of the way. Through every job and every competition, motivating me to do my best, always.” Loyd’s victory stands as a testament to mentorship, perseverance and pride in the craft. As he continues his career, he embodies the Boilermaker spirit. He’s strong, skilled and committed to excellence. Learn more about the Boilermakers Boot Camp Click Here — Dec 2
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Local 108’s Nathaniel Loyd wins Apprentice of the Year title Nathaniel Loyd from Local 108 (Birmingham, Alabama) captured the top honor at the 2025 Apprentice of the Year Competition held at Local 26 (Savannah, Georgia) Aug. 11 – 14. Team honors went to the Great Lakes duo of Cody Rasmussen from L-107 (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) and Michael Baer from L-374 (Hobart, Indiana). In addition to Loyd, and the Great Lakes team of Rasmussen and Baer, other competitors included Kyle Brickey, Local 242 (Spokane, Washington); Andrew Bronson, Local 101 (Denver); Jacob Pappada, Local 154 (Pittsburgh); Harrison Johnson, Local 237 (Hartford, Connecticut) and Jeffery Rawson, Local 667 (Charleston, West Virginia). National Apprenticeship Coordinator Mark Wertz thanked Local 26 and their entire staff for facilitating the competition. “I can’t thank Local 26 enough for hosting these past two years,” said Wertz. “Johnathon Bates, Herman Gibbs and their team run a first-class training center their members should be proud of.” To reach the national competition, sponsored by the Boilermaker National Apprenticeship Program, contestants had to finish in the winner or runner-up spot in their respective area competitions. In addition to the hands-on competition, candidates competed on a written exam covering their four years of related studies and on-the-job-training. The hands-on portion included a buddy rigging exercise, tube rolling, knot tying, hand signals, reeving and equipment use, buddy welding and cutting. Judges scored contestants on blueprint reading, safety, overall knowledge and demonstrated skills. This year the contest included a team layout project—a simple box with a penetration they had to layout using GMAW and SMAW welding processes. Each team was given materials and a blueprint for the project. Once it was assembled and seal welded, judges hydro tested the boxes. Wertz said the teams worked well and all completed the project under the four-hour time limit. “This group of apprentices we had this year not only demonstrated their high-level skill and Boilermaker knowledge but also their pride in representing the craft,” Wertz said. Judges for the event included: Wertz; Stephen Murphy, NEEAC; Jason Hettel, GLABAP; Carey Kowalski, GLABAP; Eric Olsen, SAJAC; Collin Keisling, WSJAC; lead judge Michael Stanton, L-154 (Pittsburgh); assistant lead judge Jason Dupuis, NEAAC; Alfredo Leyva, L-92 (Los Angeles); James Jordan, L-13 (Philadelphia); Dylan Rangeloff, L-647 (Minneapolis); Mark Vandiver, IBB, retired; Myron Richardson, Chattanooga Boiler and Tank; Mike Nelson, Central Maintenance & Welding; James Paglia, Fluor Constructors and Mitch Von Bank, Burnn Boiler & Maintenance. — Nov 20