Juanita Douglas
This episode of CO Pod features an inspiring conversation with Juanita Douglas, a trailblazer in the construction industry with over 40 years of experience. Juanita shares her incredible journey from being a single mother struggling to make ends meet to becoming a pioneering figure in the trades, breaking barriers for women in construction. She discusses her early days as a carpenter, her transition to land surveying, and her current role as the Executive Director of Tradeswomen Incorporated, where she continues to advocate for underrepresented groups in the trades. Juanita’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of speaking up. Whether you're interested in construction careers, diversity in the trades, or personal growth, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiration.
Episode Highlights
Caroline introduces Juanita Douglas, who was a keynote speaker at the CEO Summit in Santa Clara. Juanita shares her excitement about being on the podcast and reflects on the challenges of returning to work after the holiday break.
Juanita recounts her early career in 1984, when she was a single mother struggling to afford childcare. She shares how she stumbled upon a flyer for a carpenter’s union job that offered $13.56 an hour, a significant amount at the time. Despite facing rejection and discrimination at construction sites, Juanita’s persistence paid off when she was hired at a federally funded site, marking the beginning of her 30-year career in construction.
Juanita discusses her retirement in 2014 after 30 years as a carpenter and 15 years as a land surveyor. However, she quickly got bored and returned to work, helping to train students for the construction of the Chase Center in San Francisco. This experience reignited her passion for helping underrepresented groups enter the trades.
Juanita talks about her work with Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, where she helped graduate over 289 women, with 11% still working in the trades today. She emphasizes the importance of retention and building partnerships with unions and contractors to create opportunities for underrepresented individuals.
Juanita and Caroline discuss the cultural shifts in the construction industry, particularly the increasing acceptance of women and other underrepresented groups. Juanita highlights the importance of exposure and building relationships to change perceptions and create more inclusive environments.
Juanita shares her experiences of working in a male-dominated industry and how she learned to speak up and set boundaries. She emphasizes the importance of addressing harassment immediately and how her assertiveness earned her respect and advocacy from her male colleagues.
Juanita opens up about her struggles with imposter syndrome, especially when taking on new roles. She shares her strategies for overcoming self-doubt, including practicing self-talk and drawing inspiration from Maya Angelou’s poem, Still I Rise.
Juanita reflects on her proudest career achievements, including working on major infrastructure projects like the Chase Center, AT&T Park, and the LAX Control Tower. She emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself and believing in one’s abilities.
Juanita shares her contact information and encourages listeners to reach out to her for more information about Tradeswomen Incorporated and other training programs. She expresses her commitment to helping more women and underrepresented groups enter the trades and make a lasting impact on the industry.