Support The Movement
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Dream it.
It began with an idea.
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Build it.
Formed by Tradeswomen.
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Grow it.
Growin into a movement.
The construction industry is changing…
But not fast enough.
Women continue to be underrepresented in the building and construction trades, especially in apprenticeship, journey-level employment, supervision, and leadership. Many women enter the trades with determination and skill, but too often face barriers such as limited mentorship, isolation on the job site, lack of access to leadership pathways, childcare challenges, financial hardship, harassment, discrimination, and worksite cultures that were not built with them in mind.
T.R.A.D.E. — Tradeswomen Ran Association for Diversity and Equity — exists to help change that.
Our work focuses on recruiting, retaining, and advancing women, non-binary individuals, and underrepresented workers in construction. Through outreach, apprenticeship navigation, mentorship, leadership development, supportive resources, and worksite culture support, T.R.A.D.E. helps participants connect to construction career pathways and remain supported as they grow in the trades.
One important part of retention is community.
Each year, the Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference brings together thousands of union tradeswomen, apprentices, journeyworkers, leaders, mentors, and advocates from across the country. For many participants, it is more than a conference. It is a place to build confidence, strengthen leadership skills, learn from experienced tradeswomen, connect with mentors, and return to the job site with a stronger sense of purpose and support.
For women who are often the only woman on their crew, in their apprenticeship class, or on their job site, this experience can be life-changing.
Why Your Support Matters
T.R.A.D.E. is raising funds to send a cohort of deserving tradeswomen to Tradeswomen Build Nations 2026 in Houston, Texas. Your donation helps reduce financial barriers so more tradeswomen can access professional development, mentorship, peer support, and leadership-building opportunities.
Your support directly strengthens retention and advancement in the trades.
How You Can Help
Every dollar helps us build a stronger pipeline of tradeswomen who are prepared, supported, and encouraged to stay in construction.
Get your contractor involved
Need help asking your contractor to sponsor your participation in a T.R.A.D.E. Cohort?
We’ve created a “Request Letter” just for you. Click the link below to access your free, editable “Request Letter from T.R.A.D.E.” All you need to do is fill in your contractor’s business name and address, add your name, and include the number of tradeswomen who would like to join a cohort working alongside you.
Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.
