History | Timeline

1979
HHW was founded by three tradeswomen with a primary focus on informal support. Our Mission: To empower women to achieve economic independence by creating workplace diversity in trade and technical careers.

1983
HHW becomes a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization.

1990
HHW hires its first staff person.

1991
The first Career Fair for Women is held sponsored by the Women's Bureau, Department of Labor.

1992
The Pre-Apprenticeship Training program begins. HHW is contracted (1992-1994) by the Gateway Development Corporation to provide Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Compliance Monitoring at the Gateway Ballpark and Arena.

1994
HHW works with Habitat for Humanity to build a house for a low income, single mother. Sexual Harassment Prevention Training program is created.

1995
The Roadways to Economic Independence (REI) project begins with a goal to increase the number of women employed in road construction. HHW is on a committee which monitors EEO Compliance during the construction of the Great Lakes Science Center.

1996
The REI project wins the Working Women Count Award from the Women's Bureau, Department of Labor.

1997
The Educational Resources Development Project begins in Cleveland primary schools.

1998
HHW wins the "Making a Difference" Award from the Ohio Women's Policy and Research Commission. Three HHW members are featured on the nationally syndicated news show, "60 Minutes" in a segment entitled, Hard Hats.

1999
HHW wins the Competitive TANF Grant and celebrates its 20th Anniversary. HHW is awarded a federal contract to provide affirmative action consulting at the Federal Courthouse construction site.

2000
HHW is awarded a WANTO (Women in Apprenticeships and Nontraditional Occupations) grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide technical assistance to unions and employers for the recruitment and retention of women workers.

2001
HHW is awarded an Economic Development Award for Excellence in Community Service from the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

2002
HHW is awarded a second WANTO grant to provide technical assistance to unions and employers.

2003
HHW awarded a contract with the Cleveland Municipal School District to provide affirmative action monitoring services at 60 schools receiving renovation and reconstruction.  HHW moved to new, expanded offices. 

2004
HHW celebrates its 25th anniversary! The George Gund Foundation 2003 Annual Report features HHW. HHW receives national coverage in the media on the NBC Today Show.

2005
HHW celebrated the grand opening of its completely renovated Meeting and Training Facility.  HHW launched Rosie’s Girls, a summer camp for middle school girls to foster self-esteem and team building.  HHW partnered with Greater Cleveland Community Shares, Adoption Network Cleveland and the ACLU of Ohio to create a special volunteer program targeted to the interests of baby boomers and retirees.

2006
23 women graduate from Pre-Apprenticeship Training; 24 girls graduate from Rosie’s Girls Program.  Nine women graduate from a pilot program in Micro-Electrical Mechanical Systems, organized in collaboration with the Ohio MEMS Academy. HHW partners with Habitat for Humanity during the WomenBuild project – helping to construct a house with all female labor.

 

HHW is awarded an 18 month, competitive $90,000 grant from Department of Labor, United States Department of Labor, Faith-Based and Community-Based Initiative for adult education.

 

2007
HHW is chosen by Community Wealth Ventures to be one of the non-profits the national organization works with in Cleveland, to develop a business plan for a social income generating venture.

 

HHW is chosen by Cleveland Bridge Builders to be a site for its Leadership Action Project. The year-long process allowed emergent leaders to learn about our work in advocating for systems changes in the construction industry, and evaluated our advocacy work with a tool called the “Community Benefits Agreement” as a way to promote equity and responsible development in our region.

 

HHW institutes an Action Alert Hotline and a weekly update on its website in order to provide timely information on legislative and policy issues related to gender equity, nontraditional occupations, and employment and training for the women we serve. 

 

HHW is instrumental to the City of Cleveland’s Departments of Economic Development and Workforce Development, convening a coalition of community groups to examine the “best practice” of a Community Benefits Agreement. This model would ensure that women and minorities are fairly represented on large scale development projects.

 

35 women graduate from Pre-Apprenticeship Training; 60 girls graduate from Rosie’s Girls Program.  HHW wins the Excellence in Non Profit Organizations award from Ohio Association of Non Profit Organizations, for the Rosie’s Girls program. 

 

HHW obtains a second, competitive $60,000 grant from Department of Labor, United States Department of Labor, Faith-Based and Community-Based Initiative for adult education. 

 

HHW was only one of three agencies nationwide to receive a two year, $300,000 grant from the Department of Labor, Women in Apprenticeships in Non Traditional Occupations (WANTO), to assist women enter apprenticeships in the trades related to roadway construction.

 

2008

15 women graduate from Pre-Apprenticeship Training; 46 girls graduate from Rosie’s Girls Program.

 

HHW launches Superior Workforce Solutions, a social venture offering a package of consultative services to government entities, project owners, contractors and unions.

 

HHW’s work in the Women in Non Traditional Occupations (WANTO) grant creates excellent relationships with pre-apprenticeship and union apprenticeship programs, taking HHW STATEWIDE.  98 women are placed in registered apprenticeships during the year.

 

Recognizing its promise to end poverty, The United Way of Greater Cleveland provides HHW with a $60,000 community responsive grant.

 

Lilly Ledbetter, a leader in the fight for equal pay regardless of gender, is the keynote speaker at the 29th Women on the Rise.

 

HHW obtains a contract with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, to assist the reentry of women who have taken “nontrad” training during their stay at Marysville Correctional Center.


Like other non profits, HHW faces an unprecedented, challenging funding environment.  In response, HHW professionalizes its operations and shifts to a more entrepreneurial model. The transformation does not come without conflict and loss of some Board and staff.

Terri Sandu Burgess becomes HHW’s third executive director in November, 2008.


2009

HHW makes the difficult decision to shelve its Pre-Apprenticeship Training (PAT) program in 2009.  Instead, HHW partners with other training providers, to ensure that women are fairly represented and stay in programs that lead to high wage careers.

HHW takes the best parts of PAT and opens them up to more women through creation of Tradeswoman TOOLS (training, outreach, opportunities, learning and support) program. TOOLS offers four levels of support: outreach, education, supportive services and mentoring.

The Department of Labor offers HHW an unsolicited, $163,755 extension of its WANTO grant.

The United Way of Greater Cleveland renews its community responsive grant with HHW.


HHW obtains its first grant under Superior Workforce Solutions with a major energy provider, to recruit two women into their technical workforce.

After reviewing Tradeswomen TOOLS, the Corporation for National Community Services program awards HHW the services of seven VISTA volunteers over a three-year period to develop, maintain and expand the program.  The first members start their full time, year-long service in August 2009. This is a three year investment valued at $525,000.