Many years ago, when I first started covering the line trade for T&D World magazine, I met Susan Blaser at the International Lineman's Rodeo. Today, the former journey-level lineworker for Kansas City Power & Light (now Evergy) is the lineman program coordinator at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City.
For our March 2023 Line Life Podcast, which is sponsored by Huskie Tools, we are celebrating women in the line trade by sharing Susan's story. Susan started her apprenticeship in 1989, when few women were working in the line trade and even fewer had topped out as journey-level lineworkers.
Despite challenges, the mom of five pushed forward, and she eventually became the first woman to reach the journey-level status at not only her company, but also in the state of Missouri. Later on in her career, she was inducted into the National Lineman Hall of Fame, and she works to train young men and women for careers in the line trade.
She describes the opportunities for women in the trade as "unlimited" and "open door," and she encourages young women to consider a career as a lineworker. To learn more, listen to the podcast episode by clicking on the link below.
Also, email us at [email protected] with your comments on this episode, voice memos and suggestions for future guests. Follow us at The Line Life Podcast on Podbean to be notified when new episodes are released.
