To celebrate #WomenInConstructionWeek, we’re proud to recognize the skilled women who help make our union strong. Today, we’re spotlighting Brandi Brown, a third-year commercial paint apprentice and proud DC 21 member.
Before joining the union, Brandi worked overnight retail management shifts but knew she wanted a career with purpose. After learning about the Women in Nontraditional Careers (WINC) program, she joined the summer cohort. She explored the trades, received support through the apprentice application process, and was accepted into DC 21.
Brandi has since worked on projects at Villanova and Princeton Universities and loves that every job is different. Joining the union and the trades has given her a strong sense of community and belonging. She’s gained recognition for her ideas and now enjoys a schedule that allows her to balance her certificate program with Rowan University (an opportunity made possible through the university’s collaboration with DC 21) while building a long-term career.
For Brandi, being a woman in construction means helping the next generation see what’s possible. Women belong in the trades and they don’t have to be confined to traditional boxes. She encourages other women to just go for it; if you’re good with your hands, the trades are a place for you, regardless of gender.