Emily Gilreath, a fourth-generation Laborers Local 338 union member, was honored as a Tradeswomen Hero by the North American Building Trades Unions (NABTU) awards program. She is the first St Louis Metro area tradeswoman to receive an award.

Emily, a third-year apprentice at the time of nomination, was stunned and honored to have received the recognition. Gilreath was nominated by her Apprenticeship Coordinator, Vicky McElroy, who described her as “a powerful and outgoing person, a good worker and a team player.” “She is very involved in her Union, and she gives what she gets. When in class, she strives to be a leader and is always willing to learn more”.

Gilreath has the following advice for women considering a career in the building trades, “reach for the stars – you can do whatever you put your mind to. Take credit when credit is due and keep your head up”.

NABTU’s Tradeswomen Heroes Awards program began in October 2020 and recognizes four tradeswomen each month who lead by example and perform their duties at an outstanding level. The program honors two apprentices and two journey-level workers in the United States and Canada.