Judaline Cassidy, the founder of Tools & Tiaras, Inc., a nonprofit that teaches girls about skilled trades, shares her mission to empower girls to embrace all available career pathways.
Judaline Cassidy
Founder, Tools & Tiaras, Inc.
Can you tell me about your journey into plumbing?
My journey into plumbing began unexpectedly. Inspired by Wonder Woman as a child in Trinidad and Tobago, I dreamed of becoming a lawyer to fight injustice. After my great-grandmother’s passing left me unable to afford university, I attended the John Donaldson Technical Institute, where I chose plumbing over electrical work because it felt less risky. I fell in love with plumbing for its problem-solving challenges, which reminded me of solving Nancy Drew mysteries.
Moving to the United States, I initially worked odd jobs like housekeeper, nanny, and personal shopper. It wasn’t until a neighbor in Staten Island remembered my plumbing background that I got my big break. Despite the challenges of being a woman of color in the industry, I persisted and became one of the first three women in my area to succeed in the trade.
What were some of the challenges you faced as one of the first women in your industry?
The first time I went to the job site, the foreman didn’t believe that I was a plumber. When I pulled up in my truck, I looked tall because I always had my seat jacked all the way up with a cushion. I looked tall until I pressed that button to come down. I noticed the men looking at me. I approached them and said I was the plumber, and they told me to leave. I refused and told him, “I can work today because I’m already here, and if it doesn’t work out, you don’t have to pay me.” Of course, he decided to bet against me, and he ended up liking me and my work.
He had me come back, and I gained his respect through being consistent and showing up for work every day. Even on the coldest day in New York City, I was there. My work ethic impressed them. I showed people I was serious about my trade and in return, they decided to help me get into the union.
What are some of your proudest achievements in your career as a plumber and as an activist?
Becoming a certified plumber after completing my apprenticeship was a major achievement, especially since many dropped out along the way. Another proud moment is seeing the buildings I have worked on. The pride that is the most humbling is that you built the city that you live in. Another proud moment was also becoming a union officer in my union, as I was one of the only women in a union-official office position.
Founding Tools & Tiaras has been deeply rewarding, reigniting my childhood dreams of being like Wonder Woman. Seeing young girls inspired by our program is truly fulfilling. I’m passionate about empowering them and advocating for our causes, even participating in protests. Meeting women who were inspired by my story to enter the trades or pick up tools is incredibly humbling. It’s these moments that drive me forward, knowing I’m making a difference and carrying on a legacy of empowerment and change.
What is the most important message you want girls and women to take away from your story?
I want them to take away the fact that if they can build it with their hands, they can do anything. Challenges give you the foundation to know that you can, you will, and you must believe that you can.
To any woman or girl interested in the trades: Put your whole heart into it. Learn your craft. Become a master at it. There are going to be ups and downs, but that is true in any job. Know that once you believe you can do it, you can.
How do you feel the industry and society can better support women in the trades?
I think as a society we can better support women in trades by giving them jobs. Stop putting us through the hoops when we come to do a job. A lot of times women are asked, “Are you sure you want to do this?” Stop that. Just speak to women the same way you would speak to a man.
Stop the stigma that trade workers are choosing careers because they aren’t intelligent enough to take a more traditional path. Tradespeople build all the things that we use, and we, as a society, need to treat them with respect. Just remember that those things exist because we are just as smart as anyone else.
Representation is also important. Traditionally in the media, TV shows, books, and movies, you don’t see women playing roles in skilled trades. Normalizing women in these roles will help future generations to visualize themselves as plumbers, electricians, pilots, or anything they choose to be.
How do you stay motivated and inspired in your work after 25 years and experiencing all these challenges?
I stay motivated and inspired because I go back to my “why” for doing this. I really love plumbing, and that keeps me going when the days get difficult. I am a superhero; I improve people’s lives every day through plumbing and advocacy. That’s what keeps me motivated. That, and a little bit of wanting to prove them wrong. I’m still standing for the ones who said I would never make a career out of plumbing.
Can you share a memorable story of someone you’ve mentored or who has been inspired by Tools & Tiaras?
Penelope was one of the girls who came to a welding workshop at my plumber’s union. The minute she picked up a welding tool, she was hooked, and she is a Tools & Tiaras girl up to this day.
She wrote this amazing piece for her school newspaper about what she thought it was going to be and what it ended up being. She then became the first girl to join the robotics team at school. She told the boys who doubted her that jobs don’t have genders and assured them with confidence that girls can do anything. In a short time, she became the pit boss and recruited 10 more girls to join the program. She is currently attending school at Buffalo, studying architecture and engineering.
