It’s no secret that the trades have traditionally been a boys’ club. That’s improved drastically thanks to the trailblazers and union members who fought so future women in the trades could have a seat at the table they’ve earned.
Donna McKinney is a retired Journey-level Millwright from LU2232 in Pasadena, TX, with over 23 years of experience in her trade. She’s worked on everything from turbines, generators, and motors to reciprocators, and even dipped her field into trade shows as a carpenter. Donna is one of these trailblazers. When she first got onto the jobsite, she was one of the only women in her trade and has worked so that women not only have a place on the jobsite, but in our union.
“I fought my way all the way through. I had the mindset that I could do anything they could better and quicker,” said McKinney. “I was expected to excel just to prove I could do [the job]. You had to do it better than the guys to earn their respect. You had to show you weren’t weak, that you were one of the guys,” said McKinney.
Getting her journeyman card after three years on the job was one of the pivotal, career-defining moments for Donna.
“I think one of the proudest moments was when I first got my journeyman card. I was so proud of being in the union,” said Donna.
Now 72 years old, she recently retired peacefully after establishing a name for herself as one of the only accomplished female millwrights in the South. After setting an example of successful women in the trades, she wanted to continue to give to the next generation of tradeswomen by passing along her carpentry tools.
“I wanted to find a female who had been like me when I first got into the union and give them the tooling I never got,” she said.
Ellee Hebert, a first-year apprentice based in Louisiana, fit the bill perfectly.
Hebert’s first work experience was as a ranch hand; her prior experience and love for physical work made her excel in the trades right off the bat.
I’m loving the work,” said Hebert. “I picked things up fast.”
Ellee has worked hard and cemented herself as a reliable millwright and a vital part of her crew at her Venture Global jobsite. She was determined to prove her work ethic to the rest of her crew.
“They’re not about to sit there and be like, ‘Oh no, I got it ’; they don’t baby me,” said Ellee. At the same time, she was focused on keeping up her team’s morale. “I like to keep up the spirit on the crew. It’s just not easy work, but it helps to make the job easier when you help people keep up their vibe,” said Ellee.
Ellee quickly made a name for herself through her skills and dedication. Her work was recognized by Jessee Kliesing, a superintendent who has worked with Ellee. Kleseing said she was noticed by everyone on her jobsite: her crew, Venture Global Ops, the Field Engineer, and even the Project Manager.
“She excelled at every level, performing above her experience level,” said Kliesing. “She is one of two millwrights who would come to me after completing a task and ask for another.”
Being recognized at every level for your work ethic is monumental for a first-period apprentice. Ellee was the youngest and only woman in her crew. While that presented its own challenges, she possessed the grit to keep going to prove any negative stereotypes wrong
Donna McKinney recognized the dedication in Ellee that she had in her own time as a millwright.
Reviewing the candidates that John Jones, President of Millwrights Local 2232, had lined up for her, Ellee was the clear choice.
Ellee was a new female member who had no prior connection to the union, had received outstanding reports from the field, and showed the grit and determination to make millwrighting a lifelong career. Ellee was the clear successor to McKinney’s legacy.
Jones wasted no time in scheduling a time for the two to meet and the tools to be passed down. Ellee traveled all the way from Louisiana down to Donna in Pasadena, TX, unaware of the exchange about to occur.
“I didn’t even know I was getting the tools the day of!” said Ellee. “She welcomed me with open arms. Donna is someone I really look up to. She’s genuine, she cares, and she’s willing to help one hundred percent.”
“She’s a very sweet young lady,” said Donna. “I was impressed with her work ethic, her referrals, and how she does her job professionally. It’s a blessing for me that I could be a good teacher to someone else.”
Thanks to the dedication of women like Ellee, Donna is hopeful for the future of female carpenters in the Southern Regional Council of Carpenters.
“I was the only [female] millwright for quite a while, but now there are so many more women in the [union] than there were 10 years ago. I’m proud of each and every one of them because they’ve earned their spot,” said Donna.
She also emphasized the importance of brothers helping their sisters in the union. “If you’re a guy and you see somebody joining the hall who’s a woman, take them under your wing,” said Donna. “I want to say thank you to the union for giving people a chance to better themselves and be a good teacher to someone else.”
Ellee shares her gratitude for the union.
“They have been like a family,” she said. “My crew helps me tremendously in life and provides me with support; they treat me like an equal but still respect me as a woman. They look out for me,” said Ellee.
She’s committed to gaining experience and prowess in her trade above all else. “You can never stop learning,” said Ellee. “I strive for knowledge, and [Donna] has a lot of that….I plan on just continuing and never stopping learning.”
John Jones was proud to have witnessed such a heartfelt moment where a seasoned female Journeyman Millwright was able to pass the torch to her successor.
“For a first-period apprentice to receive such an outstanding report and earn a full-time position with one of our power generation contractors is major news,“ said Jones, “especially for a sister entering this industry.”
She’ll use her set of precision tools almost every day at her jobsite in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, working on a gas turbine project.
It was a monumental moment between these two millwrights, one who worked so hard to fight for the next generation of women in the trades and the woman building on her legacy. The fight for equity in the workforce for women in the trades continues, but this passing of the tools serves as a reminder that the best way to achieve that is through solidarity.
“Just because they tell you you can’t do something as a woman doesn’t mean you can’t,” said Hebert.