The 2024 IBEW Women’s Conference took place in New Orleans, LA, on September 25-26, where 800+ delegates from across the United States and Canada revisited the rich history of IBEW, met local, state and national leaders, attended workshops, and built deep bonds of Sisterhood.
The IBEW 1245 delegation – one of the largest delegations at the conference – was comprised of 20 staff and members. Here are some highlights from the conference.
HIGHLIGHTS
JUANA PEREZ – Welder 3 TRAYER MANUFACTURING (SIEMENS) WELDER
It was a pleasure to be among so many great women, and thank you for embracing me, sisters. We are already family. … I can describe my experience as unique and sincere. Thank you for taking us into account, you made me feel more powerful, and I will continue to influence more women… because I know that there are thousands and thousands of us out there. Thank you.
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KATHY CHAUVIN – Electric Meter Tech, PG&E
My name is Kathy Chauvin, and I’ve been a member of the IBEW since 1985. After 10 years on the clerical side, I transitioned over to the physical side in 1994 and started my apprenticeship as an Electric Meter System Tech. I achieved Journeyman status and now am a crew lead. I was happily surprised at being invited to the Women’s Conference this year and truly grateful that I went.
Nervous at not knowing what I got myself into, my mind was put at ease from the moment I arrived. There were a lot of women, and I could sense the sisterhood and commonality that we shared. … The topic about Mental health was interesting and timely. … Hearing the personal stories of some of our extraordinary sisters was a highlight also. The afternoon workshops, at least the ones I attended, were informative and interesting.
I was very pleased that I went to this conference and have a new appreciation for the IBEW and all the work from dedicated people that makes it so successful. The message of getting the word out for women to do these jobs is very important. I’ve always thought we were pretty good, and I’m proud to say I was right.
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BRITNEY MORRIS, Clerical – NV ENERGY
At the 2024 Women’s conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana I was given the opportunity to speak on a panel to discuss the importance of mentorship in the IBEW. My mentor, Amanda, from Chicago Local 134, and I discussed how it is important to communicate in a mentorship and that you need to be able to be supportive and vulnerable to teach and to learn. Most importantly we pressed that women deserve a seat at the table and through mentorship we are stronger together. Following our panel was Sherilyn Wright, Assistant to IBEW President Kenneth Cooper and President of the AFL-CIO Liz Schuler who shared how many women are trailblazing and winning big fights within their unions. It was, as always, an honor to represent IBEW 1245.
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KAYCEE LYNN SNIFFEN (KING) – Gas Pipeline Inspector PG&E
The conference for me was a way to see and realize the need for women in the trades, and not only in the trades but a part of the union. What the union has done for me, the people, and community is unmatched.
Having an event where I am surrounded by others like me who might have experienced hardships in the workplace, who have been the odd man out and overcome so much to be where we are in our respective careers, allows for a sense of camaraderie you wouldn’t experience anywhere else.
… My biggest take away from the conference was understanding the importance of representation and inclusivity in the workplace. I hope to continue to inspire more people to join the trades and help them find a place of belonging.
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DESTRY SCHAEFER – Apprentice Lineman, Outside Line Construction
… The conference focused on empowering women in the trades, building confidence in our abilities and skills, and allowing us to meet many other powerful, skilled women and grow our support systems. It was such an amazing opportunity to sit in a room surrounded by so many determined, hardworking, powerful woman who have broken down boundaries and overcome many obstacles.
… Being a woman in the trades can already be very isolating, but especially as a lineman apprentice I often can feel like an outsider and have struggled a lot with self-doubt in the past. At this conference I was able to meet several other Journeyman Linemen ladies, and for the first time, started to build that support system with my sisters. We also heard from Jessica Downey who is a Lineman out of Local 77, and she spoke about the obstacles she has overcame and reminded me that I can do anything and that I do belong here.
… being a part of the union is more than just being a dues-paying member. The IBEW has saved lives and ensured fair wages and working conditions for countless men and women in the power/power adjacent industries. I want to be a better sister and more active member to continue to improve the wages and lives of all IBEW members, present and future.
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TIERNEY FOSTER Lineman, PG&E
I truly enjoyed my experience at the 2024 IBEW Women’s Conference. The energy was welcoming and inspiring from registration all the way to the closing remarks. The various speakers spoke on the many ways the union backs politicians and policies that support our unionized brothers and sisters. I learned from delegates from other locals how they are trying to introduce more women to the trades and continuing to support women already in apprenticeships if they encounter hardship.
I attended four workshops during the conference. The one I found most useful for myself was about holding a unit meeting and following the parliamentary process. As someone who strives to attend my unit meetings, I hope to use my newfound knowledge to guide and improve our meetings.
Another workshop I found beneficial personally was the workshop about UnionStrong, an organization that provides multiple benefits to IBEW members and their families, ranging from home mortgages, college tuition, and insurance policies to simple day-to-day saving on goods such as entertainment tickets and flowers.
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PAIGE CONAS-VAN-DYKE – Traffic Control Utility Worker, PG&E
The 2024 International Women’s Conference was held in New Orleans, September 24th-26th. This year’s theme was “Powered for Success,” and that’s the sort of energy that was coursing through the conference.
…Being surrounded by hundreds of bad ass hardworking women, it was evident that we’re not just voting for the future of yourself, but our futures future and rights that we work so hard to battle for each and every day! A common theme that rang throughout the conference …”We won’t go back.” … We must fight, because now more than ever, we cannot afford to lose.
This conference was almost a religious experience, feelings of empowerment, unison, belonging. A life changing look into a world that reflects me. It felt amazing to feel seen, and seeing the look and emotions of others who had never felt seen, and to be a part of providing hope. I feel so thankful and honored to have been a part of this year’s IBEW International Women’s Conference.
Thank you for the opportunity.
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AMANDA COPP – Communications Operator 2, City of Vallejo
This past week I had the honor and privilege of attending my first IBEW International Women’s Conference in New Orleans with more than 800 of my fellow IBEW sisters, including 20 from Local 1245 including our Assistant Business Manager Marsha Burnett, one of our amazing Organizers, Charlotte Stevens, and 3 of our Business Representatives, Kim Camatti, Sheila Lawton, and Nicole Brooks. First and foremost, I must say thank you to everyone in IBEW Local 1245 for this opportunity, especially my Business Representative, Kim, who told me “No, you are going,” when I tried to say maybe there was someone more deserving of attending…. this was an experience I will never forget, thank you!!! Not only was I able to connect with sisters from all over the US and Canada, I made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when the invitation was extended to me to attend. Being a 911 dispatcher, you sometimes tend to become more introverted and only socialize with other people in law enforcement who have an understanding of what your work life is like, so I thought “what would I have in common with all these sisters?” I quickly realized, we are all strong, smart, and dedicated women who face the similar issues no matter which professions we are in, and together we can make a difference.
When I first got my “Powered For Success” program and read through it, I became very excited for all of the information I was about to receive and how much more involved in IBEW I could become …. But the #1 thing that stuck out to me was that Lyndsee Cooper would be giving a presentation on Mental Health. In 911 dispatch, Burnout, PTSD, and poor mental health are prevalent so this was something that really hit home. Although we have a great deal of resources at our disposal like peer support, I feel like at my department they are rarely utilized. I am planning to take the information I obtained from her to be able to start an informal little mental health pick me up/check in within my Dispatch Center, that, if successful, I will hopefully be able to put out to other brothers and sisters within the police department, and possibly the city.
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CASSANDRA GAMEZ – Environmental Compliance Analyst Modesto Irrigation District (MID)
First, I would like to greatly express my sincere gratitude for being … selected as a delegate for the 2024 IBEW International Women’s Conference, Powered for Success, in New Orleans, LA. This experience is a core memory not only for my IBEW journey but my entire life. The sisterhood is so strong and witnessing the level of solidarity is overwhelming.
… IBEW knows how to kick off a conference! I loved singing the national anthem and pledging allegiance to the flag, but the all-women’s New Orleans brass band making a surprise entry electrified the ballroom! I certainly was amped up and eager to hear and learn more about IBEW and the important works that need to be done to educate girls and women about the trades! There were 11 workshops available to attend. … three 9th District sisters spoke and shared their IBEW stories … I loved hearing the story of all three women, but Lineman Jessica’s story of her motorcycle accident and recovery to continue doing the work she loves was truly inspirational. The accident tragically resulted in her right leg being amputated. But that didn’t stop her from getting back in the boom truck. 6 months post her accident, she was back at work! What a juggernaut! I had an opportunity to speak with Jessica and share a similar tragic story of my IBEW brother, Manuel, at the Modesto Irrigation District getting in a work accident, and he too had his leg amputated. Manuel, like Jessica, is self-described as “stubborn” and they both came back to work determined to keep earning a wage for them and their families. The resilience and drive of IBEW brothers and sisters is truly profound.
…Bravo to Jennifer Gray, Director of the IBEW Civic and Community Engagement Department, and her team! The conference is a monumental task to execute and it was pulled off seamlessly.
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JILL SHORT – Power Plant Assistant, Humboldt Bay Generating Station, PG&E
Before even arriving in New Orleans, I began to feel like I was part of something big and important as I started seeing groups of women in the airports with IBEW gear. I said hello to a few ladies and realized there were so many Locals attending! I was meeting women from all over the country when I arrived at the hotel. I appreciated the group text as it made me instantly feel like part of our 1245 group as well. I have to say that even though I am a 15-year member, I knew very little about the IBEW organization. …. Attending the conference made me think about how I can share with everyone around me how the union has made my life so much better and has helped me. It made me realize how important politics and our leaders in government, local and national, are to protecting our rights and way of life. I felt so connected to others as sisters and felt so welcomed! It was a great experience, and I appreciate the opportunity so much, thank you!!
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HALEIGH MARTIN – Customer Service, Liberty Utilities (California)
The Women’s Union Conference in New Orleans was a wonderful display of how women and people from all walks of life can come together and bond over a shared passion. …
… Gina Cooper, the 4th District International Vice President and first female Vice President … talked about Redwood Trees; … she spoke about how the trees grow so tall and have a long-life span. How that happens is their roots are intertwined and grow together with the trees next to them, if they are moved and one tree stands alone, there isn’t enough support to keep it upright – this works with the Sisterhood as well, nobody should have to stand alone and face barriers of race, sexual orientation, stereotypes or anything else. Together we are stronger – the Union, both Sisters and Brothers of the union — offer support. There’s also support with scholarships, programs for daycare, transportation and more for those in need.
In {the workshop about} Bias and Belonging, Craig spoke about implicit biases. These operate at the subconscious level; we are not aware that we have them. They run contrary to our conscious beliefs and attitudes and are triggered through the rapid and automatic mental association of individuals or groups. A way to break through the implicit biases is by individualizing, prospective taking and improving decision making. Individualizing can be done by regular one-on-one conversations to see people for their individual qualities and attributes, removing them from a stereotype group. Prospective taking is putting yourself in their shoes, taking on the firsthand perspective of others, or the perceived others. Improving decision making can be done by slowing down, this removes or reduces ambiguity or individual discretion from decision making. It’s easy to miss something you’re not looking for…
Member-to-Member and Member-to- Future Member was another workshop. In the workshop, Craig asked what we thought the average attendance for Unit Meetings was – the majority guessed 20% and above, but the true answer is an average of 5% attend. This is a big deal because we need members to be involved …
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Jody Cather, Substation Electrician, SMUD
I was honored to be selected to attend and participate in the 2024 IBEW International Women’s Conference. …
During the conference “Powered for Success,” various guests such as U.S Department of Energy Director Betony Jones, International Vice President Gina Cooper, and Senior Executive Assistant to International IBEW President Sherilyn Wright gave powerful speeches instilling the potential growth and success within all of us. Several other IBEW leaders and fellow members shared their stories, mentored, and proclaimed that we, too, have the tools and power to become the best IBEW leaders we can be. …
Even though I have been lucky enough to be given a chance to attend an IBEW conference before, what excited me about this one was the ability to accompany over 800 fellow IBEW sisters in a conference intended just for the IBEW sisterhood. My biggest takeaway from this conference was IBEW’s commitment in regards to building, preparing, and strengthening the bonds and knowledge of the IBEW sisterhood. I can not convey how much I enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to meet and create relationships with other powerful IBEW sisters.
IBEW 1245 Delegation to the 2024 Women’s Conference
MEMBERS
Jody Cather, SMUD
Kathy Chauvin, PG&E
Paige Conas-Van Dyke, PG&E
Cecelia De La Torre, PG&E & IBEW 1245 President
Tierney Foster, Lineman, PG&E,
Cassandra Gamez, Modesto Irrigation District (MID)
Kaycee King, PG&E
Amanda Konzelman-Copp, City of Vallejo
Marge Lorenz, PG&E
Haleigh Martin, Liberty Utilities (CA)
Britney Morris, NV Energy
Juana Perez Ochoa, Trayer/Siemen’s Manufacturing
Destry Schaefer, Outside Line/Henkels & McCoy
Rachel Segale, PG&E & IBEW 1245 Recording Secretary
Jill Short. PG&E
STAFF
Nicole Brooks
Marsha Burnett
Kim Camatti
Sheila Lawton
Charlotte Stevens
GUEST
Dorthy Fortier, former IBEW 1245 Senior Assistant Business Manager