Famous Female Plumbers
The world of plumbing has traditionally been a male-dominated industry. However, as time goes by, more and more women are breaking gender barriers in the trade, becoming master plumbers and even owning their own businesses. Today, in honor of Women’s History Month and in the spirit of inspiring future female plumbers, Action Jackson Drain Cleaning and Plumbing would like to pay tribute to some of the most famous female plumbers of all time.
Lillian Baumbach was one of the first female master plumbers in history, and she did it during a time when it was unheard of for women to work in this field. Her story is a testament to the fact that you can accomplish your goals no matter what kind of obstacles you face.
After graduating high school with good grades and a focus on sports rather than home economics, Baumbach became an apprentice through her father’s plumbing company. She worked her way up to journeyman status and eventually took the master plumber’s exam at the age of 21 — passing it on the first attempt. After her success, she became a national hero, appearing in newspapers and magazines and doing interviews on radio and TV. She also received hundreds of letters from soldiers stationed around the world, young apprentices, love-struck romantics and others seeking plumbing advice — which she responded to with grace and humor.
Although she never set out to become a public figure, her fame and popularity helped pave the way for other female plumbers. In the 1960s and 1970s, Jane Withers gained worldwide recognition as overall-clad, smart-alecky Josephine the Plumber in classic Comet cleanser commercials that ran from 1963-1974. Like any true professional, Withers took the role seriously and enrolled in a plumbing course to fully understand her character’s profession. Her brash, wisecracking attitude and her love of the job made her an instant hit with viewers.
Famous Female Plumbers
In addition to her plumbing career, Withers also worked as an actress and model. Her fame helped her earn endorsement deals for dolls, hair bows and socks, and she appeared in several mystery novels. She would go on to have a successful career in television, with roles in shows such as The Andy Griffith Show and Family Ties.
Nowadays, there are countless women who have chosen to pursue careers as plumbers. Many of these women have gotten their start by entering the field as an apprentice and working their way up through the ranks. For some, it’s a second or third career, and they love the work so much that they have decided to make it their life’s passion.
Commusoft’s Sue Jacobs-Marshalsea, who is 60 years old and a master plumber, says that being a woman hasn’t had any negative impacts on her career. She has even started teaching homeowners and those interested in plumbing how to fix some of their own problems through a series of workshops she calls “Plumbing 101.” In her experience, she has found that most female plumbers support each other rather than compete with each other.
