Broadcast in real time, L-19 Boilermaker apprentice Emily Andrewson introduces President Joe Biden before his shipbuilding speech and steel cutting ceremony.
“In complete shock.”
That’s how L-19 (Philadelphia) Boilermaker apprentice Emily Andrewson describes how she felt when she learned on a Monday that she’d be introducing the President of the United States—on a live broadcast—in just three days.
Andrewson, who’s been a welder for three years and joined the Boilermakers union immediately upon being hired at Philly Shipyard a year and a half ago, was tapped for the honor as part of President Joe Biden’s commemoration of a vessel being built at the shipyard. Biden spoke about the Jones Act before a steel-cutting ceremony commenced.
“It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she says. “It was pretty amazing and exciting to be able to represent our Boilermakers union, the Philly Shipyard and welders—specifically women welders.”
Andrewson says that she and several others went through a vetting process, and then she collaborated with White House communications pros for her own introduction as well as the introduction she delivered to bring the President on stage.
“It was thrilling,” she says, noting that the bright stage lights prevented her from seeing the hundreds of fellow shipyard workers, dignitaries and guests in the audience—which helped keep her nerves at bay.
Andrewson turned to welding as a career and enrolled in welding classes at Delaware County Community College after losing her job during the COVID-19 pandemic. There, she was introduced to the apprenticeship program offered at Philly Shipyard.
Learn more about Emily Andrewson and watch her introduction of President Biden here:
