Here’s How Women Have Shaped the Plumbing Industry
The history of business industries doesn’t typically make one think of women. In reality, a majority of women didn’t work until more recent decades. That said, things like the plumbing industry seem to be male-dominant fields. Whether in history or today, it’s no surprise that plumbing is a field full of men. However, several powerful women in history helped shape the way the world knows plumbing today. It is important that the world honor these women, for, without them, the world would probably look a lot different.
Lillian Ann Baumbach
In 1951, Lillian Ann Baumbach became the first female master plumber. She passed the licensing tests and against all odds. She showed the world just how capable women truly are. Plumbing wasn’t her only venture either.
Here are other industries Lillian became well-known in:
- She’s perhaps most famously known for being the penpal for more than 250 soldiers overseas
- She was on two TV shows, including “What’s My Line?”
- She had an interview with Walter Cronkite
She even wrote an article on plumbing filled with helpful tips for housewives. Needless to say, Lillian was definitely the entire package.
The Ladies Auxiliary Committee for the National Association of Plumbers
The Ladies Auxiliary Committee for the National Association of Plumbers originally began in the early 1900s as a social club. It was a way for the plumber’s wives to be entertained throughout the day. It gave them something to do, in other words.
It didn’t take long for the group to become an activist group. They lobbied for environmental issues, sanitation issues, and health and labor laws, among other things. Perhaps their most notable campaign was their partnership with Texaco to improve the sanitation of their restrooms.
It later transformed into a committee for women to enter the plumbing industry. Many of them took care of the books, scheduled appointments, and helped their husbands with general day-to-day things. At its core, it provided a way for women to get a foot in the door of the plumbing industry.
Women in Plumbing Today
Today, the workforce looks a lot different than it did in the early 1900s. Women go to work every day just like men, and many of them are plumbers. It is still a male-dominant field, but women have paved the way for themselves within the industry.
People don’t just see women working the books either. Women are out in the field and getting their hands dirty. Not because they are proving a point, but simply because it is a profitable field to work in. Women have proved time and time again that they are just as capable of providing for a family as men.
All Clear Plumbing Are Efficient and Trustworthy Professionals
The plumbing system is something that requires a certain level of skill to maintain. The professionals at All Clear Plumbing are there to ensure their customers that they get the job done right no matter what. They have the expertise to keep homeowners safe and efficient for years to come. Call today to schedule plumbing service!
