b'\x02Trailblazers in a Mans WorldDoris WelchBefore I went to work for the Housing Authority, I was a dental hygienist. That was28 years ago. I took a job at the Authority as a typist for a year, I said, because Ineeded a break, and then I would go back to the medical profession. But I started lik-ing the high heels and nice dresses as a dental hygienist I wore a white uniform and white shoes every day. I stayed. I worked in Personnel (now called Human Resources).After four years, I transferred to the executive floor of the Public Information Department. That was a turning pointfor me. I worked with some beautiful peopleVal Coleman, Roy Metcalf, the director, and Tim Sullivan. They taught me alot. I covered events and wrote stories for a journal that went to the residents. I had never worked in a public housing proj-ectI only saw the buildingsand I wanted to get to know the residents, see what they were doing, hear their ideas. So, Ivolunteered on Saturdays to train residents to do their own newsletters. Later it helped me, when I went out into the field.One of the interviews for the journal, which Tim Sullivan did, was with Ann Sabatino, the first female assistant super-intendent (later the first female superintendent). I got to talking to her and I asked her how she managed. She had afamily with children. At the time, it was the furthest thing from my mind to be a nontraditional woman. I just admiredher for what she had done.After a few years I was promoted to senior clerk (now called office associate), and I went to the Construction Department. The construction staff taught me so many things. I went on inspections with them and they showed me the parts of a building, what contractors did.The high heels and cute suits were gone by then. Working on construction sites, you dont dress like that. You wearwork shoes and jeans. It was preparing me for the nontraditional job I was to take.Once I heard how much skilled trades workers made, I wanted the same thing. But I didnt want to leave the Authority. Then I thought of Ann Sabatino.The Housing Authority, with Local 237, was conducting heating plant classes. I checked them out . . . and I got myheating plant technician certificate. My first job was at the Chelsea-Elliott Houses. That was the first time I worked in aNew York City housing project.I experienced a combination of encouragement and are you crazy!? I got lots of encouragement from my father. It was my father who took me to buy my first pair of work shoesthe man in the store thought they were for him. It wasmy father who said, You can do it; anything you set your mind to, you can do. He was a member of Local 32BJ, a maintenance worker. He encouraged me to be union. Thats partly why I do whatever I can for my local. Whenever anyonenew came to work with him, he told them, You have to come to work every day, you have to take pride in your work.When I became a heating plant technician in 1983, there were about five women HPTs, if that many. The job wasscary as helland thats a quotebut fun. There were the males on the staff who didnt think Id be able to do the job. Then124 '