Did you know that the first woman to receive a master plumber’s license was born in 1930? Her name was Lillian Baumbach Jacobs, and she was the daughter of a plumber. She passed the master plumbing examination with one of the highest scores in her class at the age of twenty-one.

A lot has changed since then, but a lot has stayed the same. Women in the industry are, without a doubt, still rare. Plumbing has long been seen as a “man’s job,” and that perception is a major barrier that women face when entering the trades. Today, women still represent only a small fraction of licensed plumbers nationwide — a figure that underscores how much of the industry’s workforce remains untapped. But, thankfully, there are plenty of women out there who don’t let that stop them.

To celebrate Women’s History Month and Women in Construction Week, Plumbing & Mechanical is highlighting ten women who not only work in the industry, but are making a difference in it.

These women are not exceptions. They are leaders, business owners, educators and technicians who are reshaping what the plumbing profession looks like in 2026. Because of them, the next generation of plumbers will likely look different from the last; not because the work has changed, but because the doors are opening wider.

1. How long have you been in the industry?

I’ve been in the plumbing industry for just over 15 years. In 2010, I joined my family’s business at the request of my mother, a long-time owner and leader in the industry, after initially pursuing a career in music education. Today, my husband and I are the owners of General Plumbing, which is celebrating 80 years of service to Palm Beach County this year. What began as learning the business from the ground up under her guidance has evolved into leading our company through determination, modernization, and a strong focus on culture and customer experience.

2. What is the most rewarding aspect of your career in PHCP-PVF?

For me, the most rewarding part of this career is people. I’m passionate about teaching, learning and understanding human behavior, and I get to apply those strengths every day — developing our team, improving processes, and elevating the customer experience. We often say, it’s not about the pipes, it’s about the people, and this role allows me to combine leadership, organization and continuous improvement in a way that directly benefits both our employees and the customers we serve. If we take care of our team, they will take care of our customers.

3. What do you wish more people understood or knew about the plumbing industry?

Plumbing is not a fallback career — it is a highly skilled, evolving profession that requires both technical expertise and strong people skills. Today’s plumbers must understand advanced systems and technology while also educating customers, building trust, and clearly explaining solutions. It’s demanding, essential work that protects public health and safety, yet it’s still too often underestimated by society in favor of a college degree.

1. How long have you been in the industry?

I have been in the industry for 6 years now.

2. What is the most rewarding aspect of your career in PHCP-PVF?

The most rewarding aspect of this career is seeing something I drew up come to life. I love to layout a run of stainless lines and bend them perfectly and it quickly turns into a piece of art. I also love to share what I’ve learned with other people and see a new skill click for them.

3. What do you wish more people understood or knew about the plumbing industry?

I wish more people knew construction isn’t as scary as it may look from the outside. Trying anything new comes with a certain level of anxiety, but if you just change that perspective to excitement, it can be really fun. Your journeyman and foreman are there to help you and teach you, and you will be amazed at what you can really do.

1. How long have you been in the industry?

I’ve spent more than 18 years in the association industry, and I’ve had the privilege of serving the plumbing and mechanical community since 2014. I began with the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Louisiana (PHCCLA) as an Association Coordinator and was appointed Executive Director in 2021 while continuing to support other association clients as the vice president of an association management company. Effective January 1, 2026, PHCCLA transitioned to a full-time Executive Director model, and I’m honored to continue in that role - working side-by-side with our leadership to strengthen our association, elevate the profession, and support the next generation of the workforce.

2. What is the most rewarding aspect of your career in PHCP-PVF?

I love being a part of the solution - helping move our industry forward in real, measurable ways. Whether it’s growing the workforce, expanding training and support systems, or advocating for contractors and the communities they serve, I love the challenge of turning opportunities into action. I’m fortunate to work alongside dedicated volunteer leaders and an incredible network of peers who continually ask, “Is this the best we can do?” In our world, the answer is almost always, “Not yet.” That desire to keep raising the bar is what drives me. I genuinely love this industry - its people, its grit, and its impact on everything we depend on in everyday life.

3. What do you wish more people understood or knew about the plumbing industry?

I wish more people understood just how skilled, technical, and essential plumbing and mechanical professionals truly are. These careers demand years of training, hands-on experience and a commitment to safety – this industry protects public health and keeps homes, businesses and communities running. The trades are not a “backup plan.” They are a high-impact profession with real opportunity and purpose. My hope is that as we continue to invest in workforce development and elevate the visibility of our craft, the next generation will see these careers as something to aspire to so that one day it’s completely normal to hear a child say, “I want to be a plumber when I grow up.”

1. How long have you been in the industry?

I entered the plumbing industry five years ago when I stepped into an ownership and leadership role at Head’s Plumbing Sales and Service, Inc. Before joining the family business, I spent 15 years as an NCAA Division I college basketball coach. Coaching shaped how I view leadership, preparation and personal accountability.

Although my professional career in plumbing began five years ago, the trade has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I am a third-generation business owner representing a company founded in 1981. Head’s Plumbing is proudly recognized as Georgia’s oldest and most experienced Black-owned plumbing company. Growing up around the business gave me a deep respect for the skill, discipline and resilience required to succeed in this industry.

When I transitioned into plumbing, I did so with humility and a commitment to learn. I spent time understanding the field, the technicians, the customer experience and the operational side of the business. Leadership was never something I assumed. It was something I worked to earn.

2. What is the most rewarding aspect of your career in PHCP-PVF?

The most rewarding aspect of my career is people.

Plumbing gives us the opportunity to step into someone’s home during moments of stress and uncertainty. We are often called when something has gone wrong. Being able to restore comfort, safety and peace of mind is incredibly meaningful.

Equally important is the work we do inside our organization. Developing technicians, supporting their growth, and watching them build confidence and financial stability is deeply fulfilling. My years in coaching taught me that leadership is ultimately about helping others see what is possible for themselves. That same purpose drives me today.

There is also pride in leading a legacy company that carries history and significance. In an industry in which only 8% of plumbers are black, Head’s Plumbing is not just a business. It represents perseverance, community impact and generational progress.

3. What do you wish more people understood or knew about the plumbing industry?

I wish more people understood the dignity, intelligence and opportunity within the plumbing profession.

Plumbing is essential to modern life. It protects public health, ensures safety, and supports the comfort and functionality of our homes and businesses. The work is highly technical, and requires continuous learning, problem-solving and precision. It is a profession grounded in expertise and critical thinking.

I also wish more people recognized the wide range of career opportunities within the industry. The plumbing trade extends far beyond the role of a service technician. It offers pathways in leadership, operations, customer experience, training, business development, sales, technology, logistics and entrepreneurship. The industry needs communicators, managers, educators, analysts and innovators alongside highly skilled technicians.

For young professionals and those considering a career transition, this field provides stability, strong earning potential, and the ability to build a meaningful, respected career. Plumbing is not a fallback option. It is a dynamic profession with diverse opportunities for growth, impact, and long-term success. There is a place in this industry for everyone.

1. How long have you been in the industry?

I have been in the industry for 32 years. The first 20 as a manufacturer’s representative, two years with an industrial wholesaler and ten as a regional sales manager.

2. What is the most rewarding aspect of your career in PHCP-PVF?

I remember the early days when mechanical systems felt impossibly complex, like a language I’d never be fluent in. What changed everything for me were the mentors who stepped in — people who were patient, generous, and genuinely invested in my growth. Their guidance shaped my career, and it shaped who I am.

Now, I’m committed to paying that forward. I want to be that steady hand for the next generation of trade professionals. Mentorship isn’t just something I do; it’s one of my greatest passions. It’s how we strengthen our industry, one person at a time.

3. What do you wish more people understood or knew about the plumbing industry?

The trades offer incredible career opportunities for young people. These are not “easy” jobs — they demand skill, discipline and years of hands-on experience to master. A master plumber, for example, spends years refining their craft, and even then, the work continues to evolve with new systems, technologies and standards.

Tradespeople are essential to our economy. They keep our communities functioning, our infrastructure safe, and our industries moving. They deserve real respect, real support and recognition for the expertise they bring to the table.

1. How long have you been in the industry?

I have been in the trades for almost 15 years. My husband and I own a heating, air conditioning and plumbing company, and while we officially launched our plumbing division in August 2025, my work in the trades has always extended beyond one department or title.

Over the years, I’ve been deeply involved in operations, leadership development, customer experience, process creation, and culture building. I’ve learned this industry from the inside out...from answering phones and dispatching calls to building systems, coaching managers and shaping long-term strategy. The plumbing side of our business is still young, and we are learning every single day, but the foundation we’ve built is rooted in discipline, humility, and a commitment to professionalism.

We have come a long way... and we still have a long way to go... and that journey is something I’m incredibly proud of.

2. What is the most rewarding aspect of your career in PHCP-PVF?

Without question, the most rewarding part of my career is watching people grow.

The trades have the power to completely change someone’s trajectory. I’ve seen technicians come in unsure of themselves and grow into confident professionals. I’ve watched young apprentices discover they are capable of more than they believed. I’ve seen families supported, stability created, and leadership developed because this industry gives people real opportunity.

For me, the reward isn’t just revenue growth or expansion; it’s building a company that operates with integrity, accountability and professionalism. It’s creating structure and systems that allow skilled tradespeople to do what they do best with pride. It’s knowing that when we enter someone’s home, we are not just fixing a system; we are protecting health, safety, comfort and trust.

The PHCP-PVF industry is essential. It requires intelligence, emotional awareness, technical expertise and operational discipline. Being part of elevating that standard, especially as we grow our plumbing division is deeply meaningful to me.

3. What do you wish more people understood or knew about the plumbing industry?

I wish more people understood that the plumbing industry is a highly skilled, regulated and essential profession that safeguards public health and supports the foundation of our communities. Behind every service call is a coordinated system of trained professionals, compliance standards, safety protocols and operational discipline working together to protect homes and businesses.

Plumbers play a critical role within that system; safeguarding water quality, preventing contamination, solving complex mechanical challenges, and responding during some of the most stressful moments in a homeowner’s life. That level of responsibility requires training, critical thinking, professionalism and character. At the same time, the industry as a whole demands strong leadership, sound business practices, ongoing education, regulatory awareness and an unwavering commitment to ethical service.

As leaders in this profession, we have an opportunity to continue elevating how our industry is represented and understood. Plumbing is essential to public health. It is essential to infrastructure. It is essential to daily life. It is skilled. It is disciplined. It is professional. And it deserves to be continually advanced and respected as such.

1. How long have you been in the industry?

I’ve been in the plumbing industry for over 20 years, and in many ways, I’ve grown up alongside it (and I still am! There is always so much to learn, I'm humbled every day!). When I first stepped in, my husband had just started our company. It was small — receipts in a shoebox, big dreams and a lot of uncertainty. I came in through the business side, organizing the finances and helping create structure. Over time, that evolved into building systems, developing leaders, shifting our business model to residential service only (away from new construction) and helping shape the culture of what would become Seaside Plumbing.

As the company grew, so did my sense of responsibility to the industry itself. I began advocating for workforce reform and apprenticeship accessibility, working to remove unnecessary licensing barriers that make it harder for good people to enter the trades. I saw firsthand how powerful this industry can be when access is expanded and when people are introduced to the trades as a career path. That’s what ultimately led to launching our nonprofit, Seaside Toolbox Academy — a training and outreach organization dedicated to creating real pathways into skilled trades careers.

2. What is the most rewarding aspect of your career in PHCP-PVF?

The most rewarding part of my career is unlocking potential in others. I get to watch young people step into a trade, build confidence, earn real money, and change the trajectory of their lives. I’ve watched technicians buy their first homes. I’ve watched apprentices become licensed professionals. I’ve watched families break generational poverty lines because someone gave them access to training, mentorship, and belief. We talk about plumbing as infrastructure — but it’s also human infrastructure. When you build a career, you build dignity. You build stability, and hope. There’s nothing more meaningful than that. Getting to start our own non-profit and live out this mission on a larger level has been a dream come true.

3. What do you wish more people understood or knew about the plumbing industry?

First — plumbers are more important than doctors. Without safe water, sanitation, and functioning infrastructure, public health collapses. Plumbing protects entire communities before anyone ever steps into an emergency room. Plumbing is literally one of the major distinctions between developed and developing nations.

Second — this industry is not “just a trade.” It’s technical, strategic and critical to the health of our nation. Yet we continue to put up unnecessary barriers to entry, including licensing bottlenecks that limit workforce growth. I’ve been deeply involved in advocacy work to modernize and remove outdated barriers so we can responsibly grow the next generation of skilled professionals. Through our nonprofit, we’re working to create clearer pathways into the trades — especially for young people who may not see themselves in a four-year college model. There are extraordinary careers here. We just have to make access possible. Plumbing is not a backup plan. It’s a powerful, purpose-driven profession — and it deserves to be treated that way.

Lastly - the trades have given my family and our team stability, purpose, and the ability to change lives - and they can do that for anyone. Now, my work is about making sure that door stays open for all, including women (who are an enormous untapped potential in the trades), and all future generations. It's about shifting stereotypes, so the trades are respected. Dentists and firefights go into elementary schools to teach kids, why not plumbers? They are just as important!

1. How long have you been in the industry?

I have been in the industry for 13 years.

2. What is the most rewarding aspect of your career in PHCP-PVF?

The most rewarding part of my career is a hard one, there are a lot. I would say helping people, coworkers and customers alike. A close second would be the feeling that you earned your dinner every night because you worked so hard every day.

3. What do you wish more people understood or knew about the plumbing industry?

I wish more people understood that plumbing is functional art. If you have a creative mind, you would be a great asset to the trades. We want beautiful things inside and outside the walls.

1. How long have you been in the industry?

I have been in the industry for four years. I joined Streamline after spending 20 years in technology marketing for companies such as Oracle and Lenovo. I joined Streamline to help our family business - we currently have five family members working at Streamline, so it is truly a family operation.

2. What is the most rewarding aspect of your career in PHCP-PVF?

The most rewarding part of my career in PHCP-PVF has been building something meaningful within our family business and using it to serve our community in real, lasting ways. This industry allows us to protect the health and comfort of families every single day. Doing that alongside people you care about makes it even more special.

Beyond the work we do inside people's homes, I’m especially proud of how we’ve been able to give back. From supporting local animal rescue organizations to participating in programs like Feel the Love with Lennox, where we help provide heating systems to families in need, we’ve seen firsthand how this industry can change lives. PHCP-PVF gives us the opportunity to lead with heart, create careers for our team, and make a positive impact far beyond the job site. That combination of business, family, and community service is what makes it so fulfilling for me.

3. What do you wish more people understood or knew about the plumbing industry?

I wish more people understood that plumbing is a critical part of public health, safety and everyday comfort. Modern plumbing protects families from disease, keeps homes safe, and ensures clean water access. It’s one of the most essential systems in any building, yet it’s often only noticed when something goes wrong.

I also wish more people recognized the level of skill, technology and professionalism involved. Today’s plumbing industry blends technical expertise, diagnostics, customer service and business leadership. It offers incredible career opportunities - without the burden of traditional college debt - and provides pathways to entrepreneurship, leadership and financial stability.

1. How long have you been in the industry?

My family business was officially started on September 6, 1966. We started as a Plumbing, Heating, AC, and Fuel Oil delivery company. I've always been involved in some facet of the business.

2. What is the most rewarding aspect of your career in PHCP-PVF?

Having happy and satisfied customers as we help to resolve their plumbing and heating needs, as well as giving back to the community. We have an annual event, where we inform young people about career options, college, military and the trades. We have been having the event since 2018. We have also adopted a local elementary school; we sponsor three annual events: Teachers' Appreciation, Back to School Supply Drive, and a Christmas Toy Drive.

3. What do you wish more people understood or knew about the plumbing industry?

Although dominated by one gender, it is for everyone with a heart and love of helping people, and a capacity to learn new things. The industry is evolving, exciting and rewarding.