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Stories

Women Can Build

In honor of Women’s Equality Day, we are highlighting a photography exhibit from one of our partners, Jobs to Move America. The images captured demonstrate that women can excel in traditionally male-dominated fields such as manufacturing and transportation.

 

Photos by Deanne Fitzmaurice 

During World War II when men left for war, American women filled a labor shortage by taking jobs traditionally held by men. The iconic image of Rosie the Riveter was born—a strong capable woman, able to swing a hammer just like a man, showing that women are capable of anything they set their minds to.

While manufacturing and transportation have advanced considerably in the 75 years since Rosie the Riveter made history, 87% of the workforce in the American transit manufacturing industry is male; female workers in the American transit manufacturing industry have actually been on the decline, according to new research by University Southern California Program for Environmental and Regional Equity (USC PERE).

To help change that, we are supporting Jobs to Move America, a national initiative aimed at developing stronger training programs. These open up new opportunities for women and other underrepresented populations to enter careers in railcar and bus manufacturing. As part of this initiative, Women Can Build worked with Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, Deanne Fitzmaurice, to visually capture the power and pride of women who have successfully entered these fields. The images help bring awareness to the hardworking and capable women building America’s 21st century transportation.

Evoking the spirit of Rosie the Riveter in a modern context, the photographs demonstrate that women truly can build—America’s transit system and anything they set their minds to—with hard work, determination, strength, and commitment.


 

Learn more about the gender wage gap.

Learn more about Women on the Move, our initiative that supports the advancement of women by addressing the unique challenges they face.

Learn more about our nonprofit partner, Jobs to Move America