Rochelle G. Skolnick, Attorney

Schuchat, Cook & Werner

"Over the past 50 years a number of laws have been enacted to help remove the barriers to entry and equality for women in traditionally male-dominated trades and professions: the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 and many analogous state and local statutes and ordinances. It is impossible to understate the significance of these legislative changes and the court cases that have interpreted and enforced them. But as any lawyer will tell you, "the law" is an imperfect tool and can only do so much, as a practical matter. That's where an organization like MOWIT can play a vital role for women who want careers in the trades.

For example, MOWIT not only educates tradeswomen about their rights under the law but also provides them with a community where they can share practical strategies for successfully navigating in workplaces that may be unaccustomed to their presence. The law is essential to breaking down barriers and promoting equality. But real change in the workplace only occurs when courageous women walk through those barriers and stay there. And that is far more likely to happen when tradeswomen have resources to support them-resources like those offered by MOWIT."

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