Did you know that the first woman to receive a master plumber’s license was born in 1930? Her name was Lillian Baumbach Jacobs, and she was the daughter of a plumber. She passed the master plumbing examination with one of the highest scores in her class at the age of twenty-one.

A lot has changed since then, but a lot has stayed the same. Women in the industry are, without a doubt, still rare. Plumbing has long been seen as a “man’s job,” and that perception is a major barrier that women face when entering the trades. Today, women still represent only a small fraction of licensed plumbers nationwide — a figure that underscores how much of the industry’s workforce remains untapped. But, thankfully, there are plenty of women out there who don’t let that stop them.

To celebrate Women’s History Month and Women in Construction Week, Plumbing & Mechanical is highlighting ten women who not only work in the industry, but are making a difference in it.

These women are not exceptions. They are leaders, business owners, educators and technicians who are reshaping what the plumbing profession looks like in 2026. Because of them, the next generation of plumbers will likely look different from the last; not because the work has changed, but because the doors are opening wider.

SELECT A PROFILE TO READ MORE

Erica Barnes

Courtney Borja

Crystal Carter

Khadija Head

Becky Henderson

Marissa Johnson

Ariel Sizemore

Kerry Sweet

Lauren White

Jacquelyn Wynn