Hard Hatted Women
Andrea Modica has masterfully captured the dynamic faces of change, resolve and accomplishment in her striking portraits of women who have launched nontraditional careers with help from the organization Hard Hatted Women, a longtime Foundation grantee. These women in many ways reflect the challenges facing Northeast Ohio—How to transition from the old to the new, embrace chance, take risks and look for unconventional answers to our problems.
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Concetta Zingale, Lieutenant, Cleveland Fire Department. After Studying therapy at Cuyahoga Community College, Connie sought a greater physical challenge in her work life. Nineteen years ago, she was among the first women to be hired by the Cleveland Fire Department. She is one of only seven uniformed women in the department.
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Toni Cousett, Project Inspector, Cuyahoga County Sanitary Engineering Division. Toni joined the Cuyahoga County Sanitary Engineering Division in September 2001. For the past 10 years, she has been as active member of Hard Hatted Women's board of directors. She previously studied dietetics at Ohio State University.
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Lori Valentino (left) and Laura Becerra, Collectors, The Illuminating Company. Lori has been with the Illuminating Company for 16 years and Laura, 15. Both began as meter readers. Before joining the company, Lori was a travel agent in Florida. Laura studied business and accounting at Bryant & Stratton and is a mother of one.
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Veronica Massey, First-year Apprentice, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 18. Veronica's career change from corrections officer to first-year apprentice came after she completed Hard Hatted Women's pre-apprenticeship training program in December 2002. She joined the Operating Engineers full time in April 2003 and is a mother of two.
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Michelle Bondra, Technician, Cleveland Metroparks. Shelly has been with the Cleveland Metroparks for 17 years. Her current position is the first full-time job she has held since her graduation from Hocking Technical College. She is a mother of two.
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Barbara Brunell, Plumber, Case Western Reserve University. A 1991 graduate of Hard Hatted Women's pre-apprenticeship training program, Barb has more than a decade of experience as a plumber. She was hired by Case Western Reserve University in November 2002 and is the only female plumber on staff.
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Jenalle Schlegel, Apprentice Ironworker, Ironworkers, Local 17. Jenalle has been a member of Local 17 since June 2000. She is a second-generation ironworker, having followed in the footsteps of her father, and is a 2001 graduate of Hard Hatted Women's pre-apprenticeship training program. Jenalle is a mother of one.
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Joanie Weir, Detective, Cleveland Fire Department. Nineteen years ago, Joanie was among the first group of women to be hired by the Cleveland Fire Department. She previously worked for Cleveland Municipal Court. She is a mother of three.
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Jamusca Britten, Detective, Cleveland Police Department. Jamusca joined the Cleveland Police Department in January 1994. She holds a bachelors degree in criminal law from Central State University. Jamusca was formerly a substitute teacher and is a mother of one.
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Teresa Vega (left) and Kim Marti, Patrol Officers, Cleveland Police Department. Teresa joined the Cleveland Police Department in March 1997, after serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, Ky. She is one of five people in her family to serve in the department and is the mother of two.Kim, a former supervisor at a home improvement store, was hired in 2002. She attended the police academy when the youngest of her four children began school.
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Lauren West, First-year Apprentice, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 18. Lauren joined the Operating Engineers in May 2003. She will become a journey-person after she completes a four-year apprenticeship program. Lauren previously drove a truck for a fundraising company. She is a mother of two.
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Deirdra Pearson, Highway Maintenance Worker 2, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). Deirdra wanted to pursue nontraditional employment and graduated from Hard Hatted Women's pre-apprenticeship training program in fall 1996. She joined ODOT in April 2003 and is one of only a small number of women in the highway maintenance division.
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Patricia Swansinger, Project Inspector, Cuyahoga County Sanitary Engineering Division. In September 1998, Pat became the first female inspector for the Cuyahoga County Sanitary Engineering Division. She studied nursing at Ursuline College but became more interested in nontraditional employment.
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Karon Murphy, Student, Hard Hatted Women. Karon graduated from Hard Hatted Women's pre-apprenticeship training program in July 2003. She is applying to the cement mason apprenticeship program. Karon is also an assistant teacher and a mother of four.
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Lynne Martin, Sewer Service Worker, Cleveland Division of Water Pollution Control. Lynne joined Water Pollution Control in April 2003 after working in maintenance for the Cleveland Metroparks. She is a 2001 graduate of Hard Hatted Women's pre-apprenticeship training program.
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Andrea Persanyi, Bridge Inspector, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). Andrea joined ODOT in January 1993 after she was laid off from a job as a design specialist. She is the only woman in the bridge inspection unit. Andrea holds a degree in architecture from Ohio State University and is the mother of two young children.
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Pebbles Bush, Horticulturist, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Pebbles holds an associate degree in applied science from Cuyahoga Community College. She worked at a garden center before joining the Zoo five years ago.
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Brenda Perrin, Lieutenant, Cleveland Fire Department. Brenda started at the Cleveland Fire Department 19 years ago, one of the first women to be hired. She has two sons and a brother who also work in the department.
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Alexis Robinson, Water Pipe Repairperson, Cleveland Division of Water. Alexis was hired by the Cleveland Water Division in February 2003. She previously worked at a collection agency after studying accounting at Cuyahoga Community College.
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Pam Hunt, Carpenter, The Ruhlin Company. Pam is one of three female carpenters at Ruhlin. She is a second generation carpenter, having followed in the footsteps of her fater, and is the lead carpentry instructor for Hard Hatted Women. Pam was formerly a private first class in the U.S. Army.
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Geri Maistros, First-year Apprentice, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 18. Upon completion of a four-year apprenticeship program, Geri will become a journey-person. She previously was a lab analyst for a chemical company and studied chemical engineering at Case Western Reserve University. Geri is a mother of four.
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Beverly Fraticelli, Patrol Officer, Cleveland Police Department. Beverly joined the Police Department in February 1998. She holds an associate of applied science degree in law enforcement from Cuyahoga Community College. Beverly previously worked in data entry at the Department of Public Safety.
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Kelly Armstrong, Homemaker. Kelly, an aspiring electrician, graduated from Hard Hatted Women's pre-apprenticeship training program in May 2003. She holds an associate degree in business management from Bryant & Stratton and is the mother of two young children.
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Lee Lyons, Carrier, U.S. Postal Service. Lee followed in the footsteps of her sister at Hard Hatted Women's pre-apprenticeship training program. She graduated in June 2003 and is applying for a five-year electrician apprenticeship.
Concetta Zingale, Lieutenant, Cleveland Fire Department. After Studying therapy at Cuyahoga Community College, Connie sought a greater physical challenge in her work life. Nineteen years ago, she was among the first women to be hired by the Cleveland Fire Department. She is one of only seven uniformed women in the department.
Toni Cousett, Project Inspector, Cuyahoga County Sanitary Engineering Division. Toni joined the Cuyahoga County Sanitary Engineering Division in September 2001. For the past 10 years, she has been as active member of Hard Hatted Women's board of directors. She previously studied dietetics at Ohio State University.
Lori Valentino (left) and Laura Becerra, Collectors, The Illuminating Company. Lori has been with the Illuminating Company for 16 years and Laura, 15. Both began as meter readers. Before joining the company, Lori was a travel agent in Florida. Laura studied business and accounting at Bryant & Stratton and is a mother of one.
Veronica Massey, First-year Apprentice, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 18. Veronica's career change from corrections officer to first-year apprentice came after she completed Hard Hatted Women's pre-apprenticeship training program in December 2002. She joined the Operating Engineers full time in April 2003 and is a mother of two.
Michelle Bondra, Technician, Cleveland Metroparks. Shelly has been with the Cleveland Metroparks for 17 years. Her current position is the first full-time job she has held since her graduation from Hocking Technical College. She is a mother of two.
Barbara Brunell, Plumber, Case Western Reserve University. A 1991 graduate of Hard Hatted Women's pre-apprenticeship training program, Barb has more than a decade of experience as a plumber. She was hired by Case Western Reserve University in November 2002 and is the only female plumber on staff.
Jenalle Schlegel, Apprentice Ironworker, Ironworkers, Local 17. Jenalle has been a member of Local 17 since June 2000. She is a second-generation ironworker, having followed in the footsteps of her father, and is a 2001 graduate of Hard Hatted Women's pre-apprenticeship training program. Jenalle is a mother of one.
Joanie Weir, Detective, Cleveland Fire Department. Nineteen years ago, Joanie was among the first group of women to be hired by the Cleveland Fire Department. She previously worked for Cleveland Municipal Court. She is a mother of three.
Jamusca Britten, Detective, Cleveland Police Department. Jamusca joined the Cleveland Police Department in January 1994. She holds a bachelors degree in criminal law from Central State University. Jamusca was formerly a substitute teacher and is a mother of one.
Teresa Vega (left) and Kim Marti, Patrol Officers, Cleveland Police Department. Teresa joined the Cleveland Police Department in March 1997, after serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, Ky. She is one of five people in her family to serve in the department and is the mother of two.Kim, a former supervisor at a home improvement store, was hired in 2002. She attended the police academy when the youngest of her four children began school.
Lauren West, First-year Apprentice, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 18. Lauren joined the Operating Engineers in May 2003. She will become a journey-person after she completes a four-year apprenticeship program. Lauren previously drove a truck for a fundraising company. She is a mother of two.
Deirdra Pearson, Highway Maintenance Worker 2, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). Deirdra wanted to pursue nontraditional employment and graduated from Hard Hatted Women's pre-apprenticeship training program in fall 1996. She joined ODOT in April 2003 and is one of only a small number of women in the highway maintenance division.
Patricia Swansinger, Project Inspector, Cuyahoga County Sanitary Engineering Division. In September 1998, Pat became the first female inspector for the Cuyahoga County Sanitary Engineering Division. She studied nursing at Ursuline College but became more interested in nontraditional employment.
Karon Murphy, Student, Hard Hatted Women. Karon graduated from Hard Hatted Women's pre-apprenticeship training program in July 2003. She is applying to the cement mason apprenticeship program. Karon is also an assistant teacher and a mother of four.
Lynne Martin, Sewer Service Worker, Cleveland Division of Water Pollution Control. Lynne joined Water Pollution Control in April 2003 after working in maintenance for the Cleveland Metroparks. She is a 2001 graduate of Hard Hatted Women's pre-apprenticeship training program.
Andrea Persanyi, Bridge Inspector, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). Andrea joined ODOT in January 1993 after she was laid off from a job as a design specialist. She is the only woman in the bridge inspection unit. Andrea holds a degree in architecture from Ohio State University and is the mother of two young children.
Pebbles Bush, Horticulturist, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Pebbles holds an associate degree in applied science from Cuyahoga Community College. She worked at a garden center before joining the Zoo five years ago.
Brenda Perrin, Lieutenant, Cleveland Fire Department. Brenda started at the Cleveland Fire Department 19 years ago, one of the first women to be hired. She has two sons and a brother who also work in the department.
Alexis Robinson, Water Pipe Repairperson, Cleveland Division of Water. Alexis was hired by the Cleveland Water Division in February 2003. She previously worked at a collection agency after studying accounting at Cuyahoga Community College.
Pam Hunt, Carpenter, The Ruhlin Company. Pam is one of three female carpenters at Ruhlin. She is a second generation carpenter, having followed in the footsteps of her fater, and is the lead carpentry instructor for Hard Hatted Women. Pam was formerly a private first class in the U.S. Army.
Geri Maistros, First-year Apprentice, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 18. Upon completion of a four-year apprenticeship program, Geri will become a journey-person. She previously was a lab analyst for a chemical company and studied chemical engineering at Case Western Reserve University. Geri is a mother of four.
Beverly Fraticelli, Patrol Officer, Cleveland Police Department. Beverly joined the Police Department in February 1998. She holds an associate of applied science degree in law enforcement from Cuyahoga Community College. Beverly previously worked in data entry at the Department of Public Safety.
Kelly Armstrong, Homemaker. Kelly, an aspiring electrician, graduated from Hard Hatted Women's pre-apprenticeship training program in May 2003. She holds an associate degree in business management from Bryant & Stratton and is the mother of two young children.
Lee Lyons, Carrier, U.S. Postal Service. Lee followed in the footsteps of her sister at Hard Hatted Women's pre-apprenticeship training program. She graduated in June 2003 and is applying for a five-year electrician apprenticeship.