Last month, nine of our Insulators had the privilege of representing Local 2 at the National Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference in New Orleans. Part of the festivities included the presentation of the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award that honored International Heat and Frost Insulators Deputy Director, Gina Walsh. In her 44-years as a union member, she has remained committed to using her various political platforms to fight for the rights of the working class on both the local, state and national level, and was recognized for being a union pioneer throughout her career

She began her career in 1979 as a Local 1 apprentice in St. Louis, MO, making her the first female member of the Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers. Being the first woman in our trade was not enough for Gina. Throughout her career she made it her life’s mission to protect and fight for the rights of the working class. In 2002, she ran for office and was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives and held the position for 4 terms. By 2012 she moved on to the Missouri State Senate where she served till 2021.
“When Union members run for political office, they have one job and that is to work for and protect working families and uphold the protection that a union card provides.”
Even after her decades in office enhancing the rights of working-class families and labor unions in her community, she continues to be a beacon of hope and progress in our trade. Her ambition and attitude should serve as inspiration, not just for women but all union members to take an active approach in the fight for the working class. Walsh even used her acceptance speech to motivate the future generation of tradeswomen to advocate for progress and change.
“Remember to vote. Support those who support our union principles and working families,” said Walsh.

Her belief is that we must never stop pushing forward in the battle for our union way of life because when working people succeed, everyone benefits.
“With leadership comes great responsibility. I stand on the shoulders of the brothers before me who realized the potential and value their sisters could bring to the building trades.”
Local 2 is grateful for union pioneers like Gina Walsh who helped pave the way for the future of our industry. She is a true role model for all young women with aspirations of entering into historically male dominated industries. We want to congratulate her on this well-deserved award and thank her for her great contributions to her local as well as the entire international.