Women Welders of Past and Present: Figures and Facts That Will Blow You Away

Whether they are in the past or present, women welders have been amazing as the way they are.

Hard work is another name of miracle. Women welders make miracle with their torch and great efforts (Photo cr: craftedincarhartt.tumblr.com)

There is none of word more persuasive than words of facts. Follow below figures and facts about women welders, and you may, will, or sure will be impressed by how active, strong and excellent they are in the past and the present. Who think girls cannot weld? Then think again!

1. From 1940-1945, 50% of women entered the workforce. 100% of women were in manufacturing; 400% of women worked in defence plants; 39% of female workers were in aircraft industry while this industry hired 61% of men. Obviously, from the past, women were already very active in skilled trades, including welding. 

2. Rosie the Riveter is such a trendsetter, encouraging more women participation in shipyards and factories during World War II. During WWII, over 310,000 women had jobs of welding, engine repair, riveting in the US aircraft industry.

Petrina Moore was a Cherokee Native American. She was a welder at the Todd Hoboken dry dock in New Jersey (Photo cr: Alfred Palmer, 1943)

First women to achieve rate of Electric Welder, 3rd class, were Alyce R. Sawyers (left) and Josephine L. Hollingworth (right), in 1942. US Navy Yard, Mare Island

An African American female welder from Kaiser shipyard (Richmond, California) during World War II (Photo cr: Dorothea Lange, 1943) 

Female welders in Richmond, VA

War industry in Britain 1939-1945: The saddle of a 25-pounder gun being welded by Miriam Highams. She was hired for engineering work  from Women's Land Army due to her pre-war factory experience (Photo cr: Ministry of Information)

3. Some women aren’t suitable for welding, but equally, there are lots of men unsuitable for welding, either.

4. Though there are still males that don’t want or like women in welding, a number of men are considering that women can do well this job. Current laws are protecting females from being harassed, and a man can be in big trouble if crossing the line. 

A woman with 5G welding pipe

5. Unlike the end of World War II, women are now keenly sought for relieving the severe shortage of skilled workers in manufacturing; welding isn’t an exception. As per a survey on 1,100 manufacturing executives, during 2010-2011, 30% of women workers were involved in manufacturing while male workers were 70%. Women filled 25,000 jobs in manufacturing while men 230,000 jobs. Women are reported to more satisfied with manufacturing jobs than men.

Melanie Henderson, 20 years old, a sub arc welder at CS Wind Canada, gears up for a section of the tower for a submersive arc weld. (Photo cr: cleanenergycanada.org)

6. Naturally, women welders often have patience and steady hands, which help out a lot with their weld quality.

Braze welding (Photo cr: Elizabeth Larsen)

7. Welding is listed in jobs that women are paid higher than men. As per 2013 statistics, men in welding are paid averagely $1653.30 while women are paid 30% more ($2156.50).