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IBEW Local 164 1st female business agent offers insights

By Mel Fabrikant Monday, March 24 2008, 01:33 PM EDT Views: 491

Bergen County Technical Schools Hosts Second Annual Symposium for Students
In the words of Mae Jemison, a physician and the first African-American female astronaut, National Women’s History Month is a time to “never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination.” In this spirit, Bergen County Technical Schools in Teterboro, N.J., recently hosted the Second Annual Women’s History Symposium to bring women of varied ages and ethnic backgrounds together to examine and discuss occupational trends as well as personal experiences.

In addition to highlighting the creativity and important accomplishments of women, this year’s symposium focused on the challenges confronting females in non-traditional occupations, including construction. Denise Mandeville, one of the first female telecommunications business representatives in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ (IBEW) 110+-year history and a recognized labor leader, offered insight into how the role of women in her field has evolved since 1978, when she stepped onto her first jobsite.

“As the first female installer for a telephone service provider at the time, it was clearly evident that everyone thought I was from another planet and that I was destined for failure,” she shared. “After all, this line of work is taxing on a man, so everyone thought it would be impossible for a woman. I, along with the women who have followed in my footsteps, proved them wrong.”

Mandeville, who rose through the ranks by applying an enviable work ethic, confidence in her skills and an ability to not take herself too seriously, is a giant among men in a “brotherhood” that is rapidly becoming an occupation-of-choice among women. “The wonderful thing about being a telecommunications union worker is that there is no distinction in pay based on gender and ethnicity. If you perform a task with superior skill, a positive attitude and a high level of knowledge, you are compensated just as your peers are across the board,” she said.

While acknowledging the existence of a once-solid glass ceiling, Mandeville focuses on the significant advancements that have been made as well as the potential for future opportunities. “The tide is changing, and it cannot or will not be held back. Women, regardless of their occupation, are stepping up and demonstrating a level of proficiency that rivals those of their male counterparts. Workforce diversity and inclusion are now widely accepted as best practices for doing business, and construction is no different. The key, for males and females alike, is to find a job that you love. If you can do this, you will never have to work another day in your life.”

Currently, Mandeville oversees the Local 164 Worker Referral Service for more than 1,000 telecommunications division members and serves as a liaison with hundreds of signatory contractors seeking highly skilled technicians for projects throughout New Jersey. Committed to advancing opportunities for women within the building trades, she was honored last year as one of three “Female Labor Leaders of the Year” by the State Assembly of New Jersey.

In addition to Mandeville, panelist guest speakers included Danielle E. Barbaro, senior manager, World Wide Pepsi Cola Product Development; Julie Buck, Esq., counsel/director of Nomura Securities International, Inc.; Kimberly Byers, service communications manager for BMW; Dr. Geetha Ghai, PhD MBA, former associate director of Rutgers Center For Advanced Food Technology; Janet Haleckey, Esq., senior compliance manager, Compliance Risk Management, Bank of America;
Karen Harrison, CRM development manager for BMW; Cindy Jovanelly, former agent with the Drug Enforcement Agency; Penni K. Nafus, director, New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners; Monica Rivers, paint and body development manager for BMW; and Dr. Laurie Roemmele-Roberts, executive, Partners in Education & Quality Inc.

“These accomplished women provide our students with a more expansive vision of what women can do, reinforcing that jobs are not classified based on chromosomal composition,” said Jon Chevalier, supervisor of instruction for Bergen County Technical Schools. “This first-hand account and perspective encourages girls to think larger and bolder, beyond the realm of traditional occupations, while the boys gain a fuller understanding of the female experience.”

National Women’s History Month, established in March 1987, is an annual opportunity to uncover women’s forgotten heritage as well as focus on women who are making history today. This year’s theme, Women’s Art: Women’s Vision, honors the originality, imagination and multiple dimensions of women’s lives.

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