Jobs Have No Gender:Tools & Tiaras and Trade Empowerment
Master plumber Judaline Cassidy joins Natasha Ozybko to discuss the founding of Tools & Tiaras, breaking union barriers, and empowering the next generation of girls in trades
In this forty-eighth episode of Conversations with MOXY, host Natasha Ozybko talks with Judaline Cassidy, a trailblazing plumber, activist, and founder of the non-profit organization Tools & Tiaras. The conversation is an inspiring look at breaking glass ceilings in the trades, the importance of early technical exposure for girls, and the vision of "building a world where women are not just allowed, but celebrated" in infrastructure.
From Trinidad to a Master Plumber
Judaline Cassidy’s journey into the trades began in Trinidad and Tobago, where she was initially told that plumbing was not a job for women. Undeterred, she became one of the first women to study plumbing at her technical college. After moving to the United States, she faced further hurdles, including being denied entry into unions before eventually becoming a journey-level plumber in New York City.
Cassidy emphasizes that technical mastery is a woman's best defense against discrimination. She notes that "the pipes don't know your gender," and once you prove you can solve the problem, the technical respect follows. Her career serves as a testament to the fact that the trades offer a path to financial independence and creative fulfillment.
Tools & Tiaras: Changing the Narrative
A central theme of the episode is the founding and mission of Tools & Tiaras. Cassidy created the organization to introduce young girls to the trades through hands-on workshops in plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry.
The "Tiaras" Symbolism Cassidy explains the name is about reclaiming the idea that a girl can be both "feminine" and "technical". A girl can wear a tiara while holding a pipe wrench, asserting that her interests are not mutually exclusive.
Early Intervention Like previous guests, Cassidy argues that waiting until high school is too late. Tools & Tiaras targets girls as young as six to ensure they grow up seeing tools as natural extensions of their hands.
Economic Empowerment She views trade education as a social justice tool, providing girls from underserved communities with a direct route to high-paying, middle-class jobs without university debt.
The "Gatekeeper" Culture
Ozybko and Cassidy discuss the persistent cultural barriers that keep women out of the trades. Cassidy highlights that the "Old Boys' Club" is often enforced through small, daily exclusions—like not being told about overtime opportunities or being given menial tasks on-site.
Active Sponsorship Cassidy echoes a recurring series theme: women need sponsors who will advocate for them in union halls and on job sites.
Safety and PPE She discusses the ongoing struggle for properly fitting gear and clean facilities, noting that these "basic" needs are often treated as "special requests" for women.
The "Only" Tax She speaks to the exhaustion of being "the first" or "the only," stressing that the industry must reach a "critical mass" of women so that individuals don't have to carry the weight of representing their entire gender.
Stewardship and Building the Future
The conversation reinforces the "MOXY" through-line of stewardship. Cassidy believes that every woman who breaks a barrier has a responsibility to "reach back and pull ten more with her". She encourages women in infrastructure to be loud about their successes and to mentor the younger generation with radical honesty about the challenges and rewards of the field.
Conclusion: Jobs Have No Gender
Cassidy concludes by urging the industry to stop saying "we can't find women". She points to the long waitlists for Tools & Tiaras as proof that the interest is there; the problem is the accessibility of the path. Her final advice to senior leaders is to "look at your job sites through the eyes of a daughter". If you wouldn't want her working in that environment, then the environment isn't good enough for anyone.