IBEW 1245 Women’s Committee Members L-R: Lauren Trout, Nicole Caldwell, Tiffany Clemons, Nicole Brooks, Karyn Newmark, Iyasha Davis
Los Angeles, CA – From Friday, March 28 through Sunday, March 30, six members of the fourteen-member IBEW 1245 Women’s Committee joined hundreds of their sisters from across the Union movement at the annual “Union Women Stronger Together 2025” conference in Los Angeles, California.
Themes of the conference ranged from increasing women in the Construction Trades to how legislation and politics impact women in the workplace, how to build a mentorship program and how to survive and thrive through apprenticeships.
In one of the workshops, IBEW 1245 members Tiffany Clemons, Nicole Caldwell, and Karyn Newmark shared the vision of the IBEW 1245 Women’s Committee, saying, “Our goal is to support women in the trades and to reach out to women wanting to join the trade. We are: Tiffany Clemons, seven-year IBEW member, Line Clearance Tree Trimmer, Safety Steward, Ad Council member and certified arborist; Nicole Caldwell, City of Willits, fifteen years Waste Water Treatment Operator, IBEW 1245 Shop Steward; Karyn Newmark, High Voltage Substation Electrician, SMUD, IBEW member seventeen years, Safety Steward & Regulate the Voltage Safety Committee.
IBEW 1245 Business Representative and Women’s Committee Chairperson, Nicole Brooks, anchored the team.
Reflections from the 2025 Union Women Stronger Together Conference
“For me it says it all in the name. Union Women Stronger Together was exactly what the name suggests. It was so uplifting and powerful to be in the same room with hundreds of women from all different trades for a common cause. I loved hearing everyone’s stories and was impressed by the caliber of women who were speaking at the plenaries. To see the Mayor of Los Angeles, women organizers, women that represent us at the state level and those that have formerly served as advisors in the White House and hear what they had to say about the issues that are currently facing organized labor was especially impactful.”
– Lauren Trout, GC Apprentice Electrician, PG&E
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“Attending the Union Women Conference reinforced the importance of actively working to bring more women into the trade. I plan to take what I learned and apply it in several ways. First, I want to be more involved in outreach efforts—whether that’s talking to women who are considering the trade, sharing resources, or mentoring apprentices. The stories I heard from other union sisters showed me the power of visibility and support, and I want to be part of that network for others.
Additionally, the public speaking workshop gave me tools to confidently share my experiences and advocate for change. I aim to use these skills in union meetings, on job sites, and in conversations about increasing diversity in our workforce. If we want to see more women in the trades, we need to make sure their voices are heard and their presence is supported.”
– Karyn Newmark, High Voltage Substation Electrician, SMUD
L-R: IBEW 1245 Women’s Committee Members Iyasha Davis, Lauren Trout, Karyn Newmark, Nicole Brooks, Tiffany Clemons, Nicole Caldwell
“As a woman in construction for 30+ years, I would rarely see other women in the field. I now have the ability to see more women through my role as a Business Representative: on job-sites and in yards, at various meetings, on committees, at social events/venues, conventions, and more. This exposure allows me to connect, lift up, and support more women. I am able to zoom up and out. The silos are removed. I’m afforded the ability to grow, build, and motivate this movement by increasing the numbers of women in construction industries through attraction, recruitment, mentoring and retention. Our work is cut out for us, and I’m down for the Job!”
– Nicole Brooks, IBEW 1245 Business Representative & Chair of the Women’s Committee
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“Attending the Women Stronger Together conference was a privilege. I enjoyed learning about the history of women in the trade, how they laid the path for us, and we continue to lay the path for future women. We need to know how powerful we are and the abilities we have to be leaders and mentors. I learned how important it is to have the right mindset and connections and support with other women in the trade. It won’t always be easy or seem possible but it will always be worth it. It was an amazing feeling of support and energy with great speakers and workshops.”
– Tiffany Clemens, Line Clearance Tree Trimmer
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“Attending the conference with my fellow members of the IBEW Women’s Committee was an incredible experience. It was not only an opportunity to learn and grow but also a chance to strengthen our bond as a team. … This experience reinforced the importance of sisterhood in the labor movement, and I’m grateful for the friendships and shared commitment that continue to grow among us. … {it was} a powerful reminder of the strength, resilience, and determination of women in the labor movement. As we move forward, it’s essential to continue these conversations, support one another, and push for greater representation and equity in the workplace. I feel more empowered to take on leadership roles, advocate for workplace rights, and mentor the next generation of women in anyway that I can.”
– Iyasha Davis, Customer Service Representative, PG&Es
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“This was my first ever conference with the Union, and I really didn’t know what to expect. … I quickly realized why we are doing what we do: from the way “we” welcome each other, from the stories “we” hear and tell each other, from the way “we” reach out and lend a helping hand … It was a pleasure and an honor to spend these last 3 days with all these incredible, strong Women. I have learned so much about us, the bonds we build and myself. The ones that started this movement, can never be thanked enough. I am blessed to be a part of a group of Women, who will continue to do their best to keep their dreams alive. Thank you for this amazing opportunity to bond within our committee and the other great attendees. I am looking forward to continuing representing our Women’s Committee and IBEW 1245.”
– Nicole Caldwell, Interim CPO Wastewater Treatment Plant, City of Willits
IBEW 1245 Women’s Committee Members Front: Lauren Trout & Iyasha Davis; Back: Nicole Brooks, Tiffany Clemons , Karyn Newmark, & Nicole Caldwell
2 IBEW 1245 Women’s Committee members & CA Federation of Labor Federation President Lorena Gonzalez