Crossposted from the Metro Layover Employee Newsletter

Metro’s Women in Rail Employee Resource Group (ERG) helped showcase careers in skilled trades at the 45th annual Washington Women in Trades Fair earlier this month at Seattle Center. 

Lead Track Maintainer Stephanie Forester, Lead Maintenance Service Center Worker Helen Nicdao, and Lead Facilities Electrician Erika Ruff staffed the Rail Division table, giving attendees a hands-on look at the equipment and work that keep Metro’s rail system running every day.

This year, the group wanted the display to feel authentic to the work employees do in the field. Their table featured welding equipment, a used piece of light rail track, a sledgehammer, a three-foot wrench, and other tools used on the job. In fact, a sign warning that the “wrench is dirty” had to be added because every item on display came directly from the field.

Throughout the event, attendees stopped to ask questions, hear personal stories, and learn more about careers in rail and trades work. Stephanie Forester shared her enthusiasm for helping inspire more women to explore careers in the field.

“We as women can do anything,” she said. “It’s time to get more women out in the field and show them how it’s done!”

Women continue to be underrepresented in many trades professions, making events like the Washington Women in Trades Fair an important opportunity to build visibility, connection, and support while encouraging the next generation of trades workers.

Pictured: From left to right, Lead Facilities Electrician Erica Ruff, Lead Maintenance Service Center Worker Helen Nicado, and Lead Track Maintainer Stephanie Forester staffed the Rail Division table at the 45th annual Washington Women in Trades Fair.