BAC Member Named 2003 Virginia Outstanding Apprentice

Yolanda Davis, member of Local 1 MD/VA/DC and 2003 Virginia Outstanding Apprentice.

According to BAC Local 1 Maryland/Virginia/District of Columbia Field Representative Joe Circelli, only one in ten apprentices goes on to become a full journey-level bricklayer in the state of Virginia. In 2003, Yolanda Davis, a member of the Norfolk Chapter, beat the odds by not only completing the apprenticeship program, but also being named Virginia’s Outstanding Apprentice by the State Department of Labor and Industry. Circelli can recall no other woman bricklayer ever completing the program in the state of Virginia, much less being given this award.

Prior to enrolling in Local 1’s Norfolk Chapter Bricklayer Apprenticeship Program in 1999, Yolanda worked as a general laborer for one year. Once accepted into Local 1’s program, she spent the next four years working relentlessly at her craft while spending two nights during the week in the classroom learning masonry skills and reading blueprints. She recalls those workdays as long; she would not get home until 10pm, only to find herself rising before dawn to start another day. Davis, who graduated from the apprenticeship program in December 2003, is following a proud family tradition – both her father and grandfather were bricklayers. “We’re very proud of her,” says Local 1 President Jack Greenstreet. “It was good to see Yolanda’s hard work pay off and allow her to achieve her goal.”

Yolanda Davis, member of Local 1 MD/VA/DC and 2003 Virginia Outstanding Apprentice.

At 44, Davis was not the youngest apprentice in the program, but that didn’t deter her from using her skill to gain the respect of her fellow craftworkers.

Although she encountered a few individuals who had difficulty accepting a woman bricklayer as an equal, she also received a great deal of support and training from fellow members. “Respect has to be earned,” says Davis. “They don’t think you are going to be around long. But the longer I stayed, the more acceptance I received.”

Yolanda’s achievement is helping to pave the way for future women craftworkers and BAC members. And to them she says, “Sometimes you have to make them believe you’re going to be there until the end.”