Two women’s trade organizations rallied in St. Louis last week to discuss how issues concerning women in trades ought to be included in the political rhetoric today. The organizations, The Missouri Women in Trades and Chicago Women in Trades got together under the rallying cry “Enough about Joe the plumber … how about Pam the painter !” They want to steer the two major presidential candidates back toward key working women’s issues and concerns.

The turnout was strong and adamant about being heard. “I don’t know what the big to do is about Joe,” said Pam Crews, who really is a painter. Carpenter Beth Barton added, “When ‘Joe’s’ used to portray the middle class, it does not represent our nation as a whole. The candidates keep saying now’s the time for change and this is a new nation and a new day, so let’s use that…when will the candidates speak to all of us? If not now, when? If not in this country, where?”

North St. Louis County State Representative Gina Walsh, also a tradeswoman, said the demand for women in trades had the potential for exponential growth. With a hundred at the rally, this showed that there was a unified group with specific concerns. These issues include child care, equal pay and better access to jobs held by men.   

“I want to hear what Senator McCain is going to do for me and my three daughters.  I want to hear what Senator Obama is going to do for me and my three daughters…it would be a groundswell,” said Walsh.  “This is the beginning.  You have to start everything somewhere.”