Honor Women's History Month By Learning About Women's Impact On the Plumbing Industry - Past and Present
Women's History Month is all about remembering, celebrating, and supporting the women who have shaped culture, driven progress, and changed history - in both the past and the present. Countless female authors, artists, athletes, activists, entrepreneurs, and politicians have all made invaluable contributions to equality.
But plenty of women has made huge strides and broken down barriers in a somewhat more unlikely field: plumbing. Keep reading to get acquainted with the women who made - and continue to make - the plumbing industry what it is today!
Women In Plumbing Today
There are also more woman-owned plumbing businesses than ever before. These are often run by daughters who learned the ropes and took over the family business, but others were founded by women who started as plumbing technicians and worked their way up.
One perfect example of the latter category is Adrienne Bennett, who became the first African-American female master plumber in 1987. Bennett endured adversity and discrimination to break down barriers, cast aside gender stereotypes, and become something of an industry legend. Today, she is the President and CEO of a successful plumbing contracting business she co-founded.
The Ladies Auxiliary Committee - A Powerhouse of Progress
One of the earliest instances of women in the plumbing industry was the Women's Auxiliary for the National Association of Master Plumbers (now known as the NAPHCC). Ironically, the original ladies auxiliary committee, formed in the early 1900s, comprised all men - they were tasked with organizing activities for the wives of NAMP members during conferences.
In 1919, the wives took over the committee and gave it the Women's Auxiliary's official name. At first, they helped with bookkeeping and other administrative tasks for their husbands' businesses, but their reach gradually expanded throughout the decades, influencing the plumbing industry.
They successfully lobbied for clean toilet facilities in grocery stores, movie theaters, and other businesses. They also helped set sanitation standards for gas station restrooms, advocated for fair labor practices and civil rights, organized educational campaigns for improved sanitation, and funded scholarship and loan programs for members' families.
Lillian Ann Baumbach - The First Female Master Plumber
Many people don't know about one key figure in women's history: Lillian Ann Baumbach. Born in 1930, Baumbach showed a knack for plumbing even as a little girl - by the time she was 12, she was regularly assisting her father with his plumbing business. She made history at the age of 21 when she became the first woman to get a Master Plumber certification.
In 1951, female plumbers were unheard of, so not only was Baumbach a pioneer, but she also became quite the celebrity for her achievement. She got write-ups in multiple national newspapers and was even interviewed by broadcasting icon Walter Cronkite. She got letters from all over the world and replied to them, making quite a few lasting pen pals in the process.
Baumbach worked as a plumber before taking over as the service manager and treasurer for her father's company. She paved the way for countless women plumbers and skilled tradeswomen who came after her and still serve as an inspiration to young women everywhere.
About All Purpose Plumbing
The family-owned All Purpose Plumbing has been a trusted industry leader in their community for years. Their trustworthy licensed experts always arrive in fully-stocked trucks and within a short, convenient appointment window, so no customer is left waiting. They offer up-front pricing, 24-hour emergency service, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so call All Purpose for unbeatable plumbing services in Tacoma, WA, today!
