Boilermaker women represent at 2025 Tradeswomen Build Nations

Emily Alford had never been to a Tradeswomen Build Nations conference, and she didn’t know anyone there. The Local 580 (Halifax, Nova Scotia) Boilermaker had traveled alone from Canada to the 2025 event at Chicago’s massive McCormick Place Conference Center. But, she quickly found good company in more than 100 Boilermaker women and allies among the nearly 6,000 people who gathered Sept. 19 to 21 to learn about issues facing tradeswomen, discover advocacy and paths to leadership, share ideas and find inspiration in featured speakers—and one another. 

Alford, who attended the event through a Boilermakers scholarship offered via nomination to each International Vice President section, says she had no idea what to expect. She was blown away by the experience.

“Just listening to stories, I didn’t expect to be moved as much as I was,” she said. “Walking into the room with all the booths was incredible, and even just being around the town a little bit, as soon as you see another group from the conference—not even just our union—every union is so welcoming.”

Alford doesn’t come from a union family and is a fairly new union member. Tradeswomen Build Nations provided the perfect example of the power built when working people come together, especially when those people are union tradeswomen and allies. The event is considered the largest gathering of union tradeswomen in the world.

“Fifteen years ago, a few hundred tradeswomen gathered to spark a movement. Today we stand here thousands strong,” said Sean McGarvey, president of North Americas Building Trades Unions. NABTU began shouldering TWBN hosting duties when the event grew from its origins as a California State Building Trades event to the large-scale multi-nation conference it is today.

This year, TradesFutures co-hosted the conference with NABTU under the theme “She’s not waiting. She’s leading,” emphasizing women in leadership. In addition to NABTU’s Garvey, featured plenary speakers included AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler; Bechtel’s President of Manufacturing & Technology Business Catherine Hunt Ryan; President of the Military Women’s Memorial Foundation Phyllis Wilson; TradesFutures Executive Director Marina Zhavoronkova; and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

But for Boilermakers, perhaps the most impactful keynote came from within. Local 455 (Muscle Shoals, Alabama) apprentice Cheyenne Gregory shared her inspiring story about how a career in the trades—and a place in the Boilermakers union—changed her life.

“I found my family within the trades, within the Boilermakers,” she said as she detailed her journey from living in an abusive family to thriving as a Boilermaker. “In my one year as a Boilermaker, I’ve had more people believe in me, support me, trust in my abilities than I did in my first two years of trying to start my career.” (Watch for a future Reporter story about Gregory.)

Making the moment all the more special, an entourage of Boilermaker sisters and advocates escorted Gregory to the stage, and Local 549 (Pittsburg, California) Boilermaker and business agent Rennae Ross gave her introduction. Ross was able to share some of her path to the trades, the Boilermakers and leadership as well.

“I learned one of the best lessons of my career: sometimes you just have to say yes, even when it scares you,” she told the crowd.

Completing a Boilermaker trifecta, Ross was introduced by Local 693 (Pascagoula, Mississippi) Boilermaker and Diversity Organizing and Recruiting Initiatives Coordinator, M.O.R.E. WIF, Erica Stewart. Stewart serves on the TWBN committee and has co-emceed the event for several years. 

In addition to plenary sessions, TWBN attendees chose from a variety of workshops covering everything from legislative lobbying to childcare. And, as with past years, an abundant exhibit hall and a banner parade were event highlights.

The banner parade groups unions together to show their craft pride, cheer and showcase unionism as attendees take to the host city streets. This year, the Boilermaker delegation carried branded union pennants and included several International Vice Presidents, as well as International President Timothy Simmons. Simmons encouraged marching Boilermakers to give their pennants to children who lined the route—as much a delight to the kids as it was to those who watched little faces light up with joy.

“I’m loving every minute of this,” Simmons said as he walked the parade. “It is an honor to be able to stand beside the members of this International as we promote diversity in our trade. We need to support everyone. No matter what race, religion, color, creed or gender, it is our obligation as union members to support one another, stand beside one another and work toward a better future for all.”

Each trade also facilitated a private caucus session. In the Boilermakers caucus, Simmons provided an overview of priorities for the union and talked about the union’s future. He also opened the floor for questions and listened as women shared their concerns and ideas.

“I didn’t really know what being in a union meant,” said L-580’s Alford said after the parade and caucus. “And being able to be here and seeing what being a part of the union is really supposed to be is absolutely amazing. It’s about having the back of the person who’s standing beside you. It empowers me to be able to go back and get to work to advocate for women in the union.”