The trades are changing—but not fast enough.

Despite making up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, women represent only around 14% of the construction industry and just 8% of construction managers. While these numbers are slowly improving, systemic barriers remain, from a lack of mentorship and workplace support to limited access to leadership pathways. With federal programs like the Women’s Bureau and WANTO facing severe funding cuts, women in the trades need community-driven solutions more than ever.

That’s why T.R.A.D.E. (Tradeswomen Ran Association for Diversity and Equity) is stepping up.

Each year, the Tradeswomen Build Nations (TWBN) conference brings together thousands of union tradeswomen from across the country. It’s more than just a professional development event—it’s a lifeline. TWBN builds solidarity, boosts morale, and inspires leadership among women too often isolated on the job site. The experience is transformative, but it’s also expensive.

How You Can Help

T.R.A.D.E. is raising funds to send a cohort of deserving tradeswomen to TWBN 2025 in Chicago; every dollar makes a difference. Here's what your donation can provide:

• $50 – Covers 1 meal

• $150 – Covers half the airfare to Chicago

• $180 – Pays for 1 tradeswoman’s registration

• $500 – Funds a hotel stay for 2 tradeswomen

• $1000 – Fully sponsors 1 tradeswoman’s full TWBN experience

Donate Today by scanning the QR code in the image below!

Why It Matters

At a time when federal support for women in the trades is shrinking, grassroots efforts like this keep the doors open and the ladders climbing. When you donate to T.R.A.D.E., you're not just helping someone attend a conference—you’re helping create a future where women in the trades are seen, heard, and leading.

Send a tradeswoman to TWBN 2025. Help build the sisterhood that builds the nation.