LADWP’S Women’s Council Paints “LA Pink for a Day” at the Women’s Career and Wellness Expo
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Alicia Dickerson Building Repairer hosted her own booth where community youth could talk with her about her career with LADWP and the growth potential of LADWP. All Photos by Jamarius Overton
By Jamarius Overton, PACE NEWS Contributing Writer
Building bridges of community and connection that lead to the empowerment of women in the workplace was the goal behind LADWP’s first Women’s Career and Wellness Expo. The event hosted Saturday, May 6, 2023, was the first of many to come according to Martin Adams LADWP’S General Manager and Chief Engineer. Hosting a variety of Games, Work demonstrations, Wellness vendors, and Career opportunities, the event was a labor of love from LADWP’S Women’s Council. Established in June of 2021 the Women’s Council led by Board President Cynthia McClain-Hill was established with the mission “To support, elevate and advance women in the LADWP workforce by promoting opportunities for leadership, mentorship, recognition, and work-life balance, while promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion.” As read on their website https://www.ladwpcommission.com/womenscouncil
Keyshala Wagner, Nancy Romero, Lily Calvache, Jennifer Hadley, and Shawn McCloud represented IBEW Local 18. The labor union for over 9,500 employees working from five public sectors.
President of the Board Cynthia McClain-Hill was in attendance and helped celebrate LADWPS first Women’s and Wellness Expo.
Gloria Salavzar, Jocelyn Salavzar, Christine Peterson, and Barisa Salavzar Enjoy the festivities of the women’s and wellness expo. While learning of the many opportunities offered for women in the LADWP Career field
Painting LA Pink for the day, The Council and all its volunteers did exactly that as they welcomed community members to learn about Job Opportunities, Career Programs, and Benefits of working with LADWP. From tuition reimbursement to Peer-Volunteer Programs, Community Members got a chance to learn about the growth opportunities within the company and the many different avenues a career with LADWP offers. Many of the positions presented at the event were considered non-traditional roles for Women. However, women like Alicia Dickerson Building Repairer and Establishing Council member reminded the community women can do anything they put their minds to. Starting as a utility pre-craft trainee, a career growth program within LADWP, Alicia has worked as a maintenance and construction helper and is now a building repairer. She finds gratification in her role helping the LA Community save on their bills and identifying weathering and safety measures to help LADWP customers utilize all the services provided by LADWP. The event featured Ring-toss games, Raffles, Music, Exercise classes, a Climbing rock wall, and a slew of Wellness vendors all brought together to showcase the power of women in the workplace. As of February 2022, only 2,523 employees of the 11,395 workforce of LADWP were women. The Council along with the help of some of the hard-working men of LADWP would like to change that.
Jacquline Banjamin, Carol Scott and Christine Peterson Host a games table and informing Community Youth about the opportunities of Storekeepers and Warehouse workers for LADWP. Photo by Jamarius Overton
Events like the are aimed at doing that by informing and empowering women of the community to think of new and exciting opportunities for career growth and planning with LADWP. Security Officer, Building Repairer, and Electrical Engineering were some of the jobs represented at the event with women currently thriving in these areas within LADWP. Community members got a chance to talk to these women about their experiences and success stories with the company. Many of them started in training programs and grew into their perspective roles through training and encouragement from the teams and programs at LADWP. QR Codes set around the event reminded women that a life-changing career path is only a click away at JoinLADWP.Com.
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- Johanna Rose of Apollo Gym leading a group exercise and warm-up.
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- Community Members and Women of LADWP Stretching and warming up for a day of fun in the sun.
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- Samantha Ramirez and Lillana Villareal hosting the Electrical Craft Helpers and Electric Distribution Mechanic booth.
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- Erika Jaramillo Commercial Service Supervisor and Establishing Council Member of the LADWP’S Women’s Council.
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- Sandra Miranda and Lit. K. Wells speaking with community member Niamoni Knight about here future success as a security officer with LADWP.
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- Lizette Jimenez, Norma Juarez, Angie Peres, Lashaun Mcloud and Lisa Lucas Hosted the Health Plan Benefits booth. Where community member could learn of the different health plans offered to LADWP employees
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- Jocelyn Salvazar enjoys a game of ring toss operated by ladwp’s Christine Peterson
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- Robert Devito and John Linqao Helping demonstrate the safety and necessity of tree removal and managing power line safety.
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- Photographed Left – Right Janet Garcia, Jasmine Quintanilla, Raina Santa, & Alita Lizarde of Fusion Movement Dance Company
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- Carol Scott with LADWP hosting a games table.
While Wellness vendors like Apollo Gym, Fusion Movement Dance Company, and Le Natural Skin reminded ladies that beauty and wellness are part of a healthy work-life balance. Vice-President of the LA Board of Water and Power Commissioners Cynthia M. Luiz even held a meditation session to help everyone wind down from a day of fun in the sun. The event was a huge success and a beautiful beginning to a pink road of success for LADWP and the community.
Great informative well written article. Also great pictures. I’m glad I read it!