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News & Updates - Summer 2025 |
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Standing Strong:
Building Equity in Challenging Times |
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Dear Friend,
Hello, and welcome back to our newsletter. It has been far too long since we’ve connected with you this way, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share what’s been happening at Chicago Women in Trades.
Though our programs continue to flourish, these are challenging times for organizations like ours, as many of you can relate. Within days of the new administration taking office, we watched decades of progress in workplace equity come under direct attack. |
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Federal requirements that helped open doors for women in construction were eliminated, and new orders threatened to cut funding for federal contractors and grantees like CWIT, using aggressive but vague language that left us uncertain about whether our work would be considered Illegal DEI.
The message, however, was clear: programs that help women access high-wage careers might suddenly be problematic. For an organization founded 40 years ago specifically to address women’s economic equity in the trades, this created an impossible situation.
But we’ve learned something important during these months of uncertainty: this community is stronger than any single policy change. When we were forced to challenge these orders in court, we discovered we weren’t alone. In April, we won a preliminary injunction that protected not only our work but also that of similar organizations nationwide.
Even as federal support has been dismantled, we’ve been honored by Landmarks Illinois and Women Employed—recognitions that remind us there are people willing to stand with us in advancing equity for women in the workplace.
The numbers tell us why this work remains urgent. Women still represent less than 5% of Illinois’ construction workforce. That’s not because women lack ability or interest—it’s because barriers still exist that we’re committed to removing.
And so we continue the work that matters most: preparing women to enter and succeed in careers that provide genuine economic security.
We’re here to stay, and we remain focused on what we’ve always done best: opening doors to opportunity and supporting the women who walk through them.
- Jayne Vellinga, Executive Director |
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Legal Update: Fighting for Our Future |
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In February, we filed a federal lawsuit challenging President Trump's anti-DEI executive orders, which threatened to eliminate our ability to expand economic opportunities and mobility for women. The orders created an impossible choice: either stop providing critical services to historically marginalized communities or lose federal funding.
In April, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issued a preliminary injunction in our case. The court enjoined the Department of Labor from requiring grantees and contractors nationwide to certify they don't operate DEI programs and from canceling CWIT's WANTO grant.
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| Read the latest about our case |
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Recognition and Awards |
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Landmarks Illinois Names CWIT Among 2025 Influencers
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In March, we were honored to be recognized as a 2025 Landmarks Illinois Influencer, celebrating our contributions to creating a more diverse and inclusive trade workforce in the construction trades. This recognition reflects the collective efforts of tradeswomen, advocates, and industry partners who continue breaking barriers.
Read Jayne’s remarks from the event.
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Women Employed Champions Our work
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At Women Employed’s signature fundraising event, The Working Lunch, we were honored as a Champion alongside extraordinary leaders. This recognition feels especially meaningful as we navigate challenges to progress we’ve worked decades to achieve.
Read interviews with the 2025 honorees.
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Chicago Jobs Council Honors Our Policy Director
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Our policy director, Beth Berendsen, has received the 2025 Betty J. Willhoite Award from the Chicago Jobs Council. This annual recognition celebrates individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to advancing employment opportunities. Beth’s thoughtful policy work, which creates pathways for women in the trades, exemplifies exactly what this award represents.
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Program Highlights |
By the Numbers |
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Our training programs continue to transform lives. Since January of this year, we’ve placed 76 women in jobs--39 in apprenticeship programs. We had a total of 178 placements (89 apprentices) in 2024!
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Wonder what it's like working in the trades? Naomi Zermeno graduated from CWIT's Women in Welding program in 2024 and now works as an Intermediate Welder at Freedman Seating. Read Naomi's story.
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SPOTLIGHT: Team Leaders |
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Two of our strongest advocates for tradespeople come from the trades themselves. Both Renee Jones, our director of programs, and Renee Richardson, our career developer, bring the invaluable perspective of women who’ve been in jobs that they are now helping others navigate. |
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Building Diverse Workforces Through Technical Assistance |
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At a time when programs supporting workforce equity face uncertainty, we’re here to help industry stakeholders create environments where everyone can thrive. Our technical assistance helps pre-apprenticeship programs, construction registered apprenticeship programs, unions, contractors, workforce development boards, employers, agencies, and emerging tradeswomen’s groups recruit and retain women through targeted guidance, training, and resources. |
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RISE Up 4 Equity |
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From August to October of 2024, we partnered with Power Construction to pilot the RISE Up 4 Equity Respectful Worksite program. This comprehensive training for construction registered apprenticeship programs, employers, project owners, contractors, subcontractors, foremen, site safety managers, and tradespeople fosters the kind of inclusive environment where women can thrive and succeed.
Read the press release |
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Let Us Help You! |
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Learn more about the technical assistance offerings from our Equity Resource Center and contact us for a free consultation. |
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Policy & Advocacy |
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Standing Up for Working Women |
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The proposed elimination of the 100-year-old Women’s Bureau and the cancellation of the WANTO grants represent devastating setbacks for women seeking careers in nontraditional fields. The grants helped over 12,000 women access training and support — progress that should not be erased. Read our statement in response to the end of these programs. |
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Illinois Leadership Matters |
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The state of Illinois has an opportunity to lead on workforce equity. We’re encouraging legislators to sign on as co-sponsors and pass House Resolution 161, which calls for strong policies protecting workers from harassment and discrimination while expanding access to quality careers in the trades. |
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Board Leadership Transition |
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In May, we honored the retirement of Maurice King of IBEW Local 134. Maurice will also be stepping down from CWIT’s board. Maurice was a constant for many years, and his easygoing “it will be okay” attitude will be sorely missed.
In his role with the IBEW/NECA Technical Institute, Maurice was committed to opening doors for women to enter the electrical trade, dedicating countless Saturdays to introducing them to the field. We thank him for his service and wish him the very best in his well-deserved retirement!
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Our Supporters |
Celebrating Our Partners |
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We’re grateful to the organizations that recognize the importance of our work! Your support ensures we can continue opening doors to opportunity, especially when federal support faces uncertainty. |
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Industry Partnership Spotlight |
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RH Simpson, a century-old ornamental and miscellaneous metals fabricator in Elmhurst, Illinois, has provided hands-on welding experience for our Women in Welding students. This collaboration shows how industry veterans can help create new opportunities in the trades. Read an interview with the president of RH Simpson, Kristopher Haas. |
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Illinois Works Announces New Funding |
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Our Women Build Illinois pre-apprenticeship program is primarily funded through the Illinois Works. Since 2021, the program has broken down barriers in construction by training underrepresented communities for high-paying careers. In April, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce announced $18 million to fund the fourth round of the program. Read the press release.
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Support Chicago Women in Trades |
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Donations to Chicago Women in Trades provide individuals with the training and resources to define their careers in the trades. Funding is used to equip and staff our training facility, advocate for women in the trades, and provide technical assistance and resources to industry partners. |
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Tradeswomen Connect |
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This year's Tradeswomen Build Nations (TWBN) conference will be held in Chicago from September 19-21. We are excited to host and promote additional events that extend the learning, networking, and celebration of the conference.
Register for these events today!
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Public Speaking and Advocacy: Finding Your voice |
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Join CWIT and public speaking coach, Carol Moore for a virtual workshop on public speaking. Learn the skills to share your story and use your voice to advocate.
Register to receive the Zoom link.
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Look for us at these upcoming parades! |
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Follow us on social media |
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Chicago Women in Trades
2444 W. 16th Street, Suite 3E
Chicago, IL 60608
United States |
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