The Women Who Helped Shape the Plumbing Industry

Plumbing has mainly been a man’s world, but that’s not to say that women haven’t played a role in the field. Many pioneering women have knocked down the door of the plumbing industry for their fellow ladies. Their inspiring stories have changed the world of plumbing, opening up more opportunities for the women of today to enter the trade.

The Pretty Plumber: Lillian Ann Baumbach

The 1950s were a time for poodle skirts and sock hops for most women. Women stayed home with the kids while men brought home the bacon. But, Lillian Ann Baumbach crushed the status quo. 

Born and raised in a plumbing family, Baumbach was her father’s plumbing assistant at 12-years-old. In 1951, at the age of 21, Baumbach made history by becoming the first female to earn a master plumber’s license. Her license is not the only thing that made her famous, though.

When Baumbach earned her license, the news broke locally but soon spread like wildfire. Baumbach became famous, soon becoming adopted by a U.S. Army post in Korea, the cover girl of plumbing magazines, and a guest star on the TV and radio. Baumbach found herself titled “The Pretty Plumber,” a beloved pin-up girl for the troops and the recipient of hundreds of letters asking for her advice, her picture, and even her hand in marriage!

Baumbach went on to run her family’s plumbing company in Arlington, VA until her retirement in 1989. Her success led to promoting the possibility of trade work for women in an age where plumbing was largely a man’s field. 

The Ladies Auxiliary Committee for the National Association of Plumbers

How did a bunch of plumber’s wives change America? By getting involved. The Ladies Auxiliary Committee for the National Association of Plumbers was originally founded as a social club for the wives of the men in the National Association of Master Plumbers. At the time, the wives of the NAMP members were the dispatchers, estimators, and supporters of their husbands’ business. Over time, the social club of the Ladies Auxiliary evolved to become a place for activism. 

Their foundation began making waves in history, supporting the Family and Medical Leave Act, pushing for better sanitation laws, and today serves their communities by raising money for scholarships. The women of the Ladies Auxiliary became politically and socially active and ultimately changed America for the better. 

Women in Today’s Plumbing Today

There’s a stark demand for plumbers in today’s world. The field faces a labor vacuum, and unsurprisingly, the World Plumbing Council and other major plumbing associations have looked to women as a resource to fill that gap. Women working in the trades have risen to 2.6 percent, with the number growing every year. 

To reach more women, programs like Tools and Tiaras work to introduce young women to the trades through summer camps, workshops, and local chapters. Trade schools now offer incentives to help women enter the trade field.

The world of plumbing has changed. Women are supported and appreciated members of the trade, and they are taking an active role in improving the world around them for future generations of young women.

About Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service 

Since 1920, Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service has been serving up quality plumbing solutions for Evansville, IN. Honesty is the pillar of the company, and every project, price, and technique is explained honestly by their friendly expert technicians. Contact them to schedule expert plumbing service today!

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