--- title: "Women’s History Month: BAC’s Lily Calderon discusses her Journey" description: The America’s Work Force Union Podcast is the nation’s premier daily labor program. Lily Calderon from the Bricklayers Union joined us on today’s show. image: https://awf.labortools.com/hubfs/AWF-blog-image-template_BAC_blue.jpg --- 1 min read Season 6, Episode 54 # Women’s History Month: BAC’s Lily Calderon discusses her Journey [ awfblog ](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/author/awfblog) March 17, 2025 [America's Work Force Union Podcast](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/americas-work-force-union-podcast) [AWF](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/awf) [Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/tag/bricklayers-and-allied-craftworkers) ![AWF-Blogo-Logos-Template-400x400_BAC](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AWF-Blogo-Logos-Template-400x400_BAC.jpg?width=407&height=407&name=AWF-Blogo-Logos-Template-400x400_BAC.jpg)   Guest Name: --- Lily Calderon Guest Website: --- [BAC](https://bacweb.org/)  Guest Social Media: --- [ Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/IUBAC/) [ Twitter](https://twitter.com/IUBAC) [ YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbulpIsk0Wa1azSaxKYmDMw) Supportive Documents: --- Lily Calderon, Director of Health and Safety for the [International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers](https://bacweb.org/), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her path into the trades, the importance of safety in construction and the growing role of women in the industry. Calderon began her career in the trades through the Chicago Women in Trades program, which opened doors to the Bricklayers Union. Her passion for the craft and dedication to learning led her to excel in a field where women were scarce. She discussed the life-changing benefits of union membership, including fair wages and healthcare, which provide stability and growth opportunities.  In her role, Calderon ensures BAC members are equipped with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves on job sites. She discussed the recent advancements in personal protective equipment (PPE) standards, and advocated for gear that fits all body types, including women. According to Calderon, the focus on safety not only protects workers but also serves as a powerful organizing tool, highlighting the union's commitment to its members' well-being. Calderon also highlighted the rise of women in the trades, supported by initiatives like the BAC Women's group RISE - Resource, Inclusion, Success and Empower. According to Calderon, the group fosters a supportive network for women, offering educational workshops and mentorship opportunities. By connecting women across regions, RISE helps them overcome challenges and pursue leadership roles, contributing to a more inclusive and diverse workforce. Listen to the full episode to hear more from Calderon on the evolving landscape of women in trades. --- America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues. America’s Work Force Union Podcast is brought to you in part by our sponsors: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-IBT, Boyd Watterson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6, Ironworkers Great Lakes District Council, Melwood, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of North America, The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ##### SUBSCRIBE ON: --- [![Group 342](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AmericasWorkForce/podcast%20logos/Apple%20Podcasts%20Button-Dark.png?width=171&name=Apple%20Podcasts%20Button-Dark.png)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast/id1511224946) [![Group 341](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AmericasWorkForce/podcast%20logos/Spotify%20Button-Dark.png?width=100&name=Spotify%20Button-Dark.png)](https://open.spotify.com/show/0GzkHxFSBxiXvuX0lZpQBn) [![Group 343](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20343.png?width=135&name=Group%20343.png)](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast-62567752/) [![Group 339](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20339.png?width=110&name=Group%20339.png)](https://www.pandora.com/podcast/americas-work-force-union-podcast/PC:47979) [![Group 397](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20397.png?width=125&name=Group%20397.png)](https://americasworkforceradiopodcast.podbean.com/) [![Group 397](https://awf.labortools.com/hs-fs/hubfs/YouTube_button.png?width=125&name=YouTube_button.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuQo1PAtRAel1_tS7-PQOkA)   #### [Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen on the Union Pacific Merger Threat](https://awf.labortools.com/listen/brotherhood-of-railroad-signalmen-on-the-union-pacific-merger-threat) : July 6, 2026 # Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen on the Union Pacific Merger Threat Brandon Elvey, Secretary-Treasurer of the [Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen](https://www.brs.org/),... 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