download print version
send page to a friend

Groundbreaking Ohio Carpenter Honored in Washington

WASHINGTON, DC –– Darlene Glass, Journeylevel Carpenter from Cleveland, OH, has been
named a Woman of Triumph by Women Work! The National Network for Women’s
Employment. She will be honored in Washington on April 25 at the Women Work! National
Conference for the strength and determination she has demonstrated as a groundbreaker for
women in the trades.

Each year, successful graduates of Women Work!’s nationwide network of job training and
education programs are honored at the National Conference. Glass—a graduate of the Pre-
Apprenticeship program at Women Work! member organization Hard Hatted Women—made
history as the first woman named Apprentice of the Year by the Northeast Ohio Carpenters’
Training Center.

“Darlene is a shining example of how access to job training and education programs can make a
huge, positive difference in women’s lives,” explained Jill Miller, Women Work! President &
CEO. “Across the country, Women Work! member organizations expand opportunities for
women like Darlene to succeed in occupations which offer family-supporting wages, good
benefits, job stability and prospects for advancement.”

“Women are underrepresented in trade and technical careers and are instead segregated into lowwage service industry jobs that can’t pay the bills and won’t support a family,” said Debbi
Perkul, Executive Director of Hard Hatted Women. “Darlene’s success in the field of carpentry
and her efforts to provide support to up-and-coming women in the trade are paving the way for
future women carpenters and helping Ohio women gain economic independence through work.”

In addition to working as a Journeylevel Carpenter with T. Allen, Glass teaches in Hard Hatted
Women’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program and serves on the organization’s board. She is a member
of Carpenters Local 212 and volunteers at Allied Cleveland Tradeswomen and Northeast Ohio
Carpenters’ Training Center. The first in her immediate family to attend college, Glass is
currently pursuing a degree in Applied Science in Carpentry at Cuyahoga Community College.

Women Work! The National Network for Women’s Employment is a nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization that advances economic justice and equality for women through education,
advocacy and organizing. Since 1978, the Network has assisted more than 10 million women to
successfully enter, re-enter and advance in the workforce. Through supporting, advocating and
increasing women’s economic self-sufficiency, Women Work! members strengthen families and
communities. For more information, visit www.womenwork.org or call (202) 467-6346.

# # #