IBEW Local 98 on Spring Garden Street is set on changing the face of the male-dominated electrician industry, writes Wakisha Bailey for CBS Philadelphia.

Through a program called “Rosie’s Girls,” IBEW Local 98 introduces high school girls to opportunities and provides them with a basic introduction to the industry.

The program is named after Rosie the Riveter, the iconic World War II-era female empowerment and job recruitment campaign.

“Traditionally women are told the construction industry isn’t for them,” said Brian Myers, director of apprentice training for the electrical industry.

He added that they normally receive more than 1,000 applicants, but only a handful of them are women. Most of those women have already graduated college or already started another career path.

This program, which just recently celebrated its second graduating class, gives women another option. 

“I feel like I accomplished something that I was thinking long and hard about,” said Misha Graham, one of the program’s recent graduates. 

Her goal is to create a legacy for future women electricians. 

Each of the program graduates automatically qualifies to apply for an IBEW Local 98 Apprenticeship.

Overall, the program can lead to a rewarding career with family-sustaining wages.

Read more about the value of the “Rosie’s Girls” program in CBS News Philadelphia. 

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