Plumbing the Lines of a Retooled America

Don’t tell me it’s going to take more than one woman to create genderless jobs in America’s trade industries. Judaline Cassidy might change your mind. She’s a woman who decided a long time ago that the world was hers for the taking.

Cassidy founded Tools and Tiaras, a nonprofit organization in 2017. It’s dedicated to teaching women and girls about a career in the trades, and so much more. What’s equally impressive are the values and resilience that Cassidy teaches; lessons she’s discovered on her own journey to becoming a successful plumber. Not only does Cassidy show us what’s possible for creating genderless jobs, she’s laying a pipeline for rebuilding America’s long-term success.

As an immigrant Black woman, Cassidy fought many barriers just to be in the less than 2.5% of the female plumbers nationwide in the U.S. Working as a member of New York City Local Union No One, Cassidy is set on increasing that number as well as creating deeper support and greater opportunities for female friendships within the working environment.

This goal goes back to Cassidy’s hard work and determination to forge success. As the lone woman on most job sites, she struggled to cope as many women do in other male-dominated industries. Cassidy admits she’s endured sexual harassment and condescending treatment that might have broken her except that she kept her eye on the big picture. Cassidy is passionate about her work and the financial freedom of a well-paying job.