Claudia Rodriguez and her two daughters, Roselyn and Perla Soto, are sheet metal workers and members of Local 105 (Southern California). That union membership, which started as a lifeline for Claudia, turned into something bigger for all three: “Every time we show up, it’s not just one of us,” Claudia wrote. “It’s all three of us, standing together as women, mothers and daughters that have a place here.” Learn more in Claudia’s sister story:
What unique strengths do you bring to your trade?
One of the greatest strengths I bring as a mother is my old school work ethic. I grew up with the belief that your work is your signature, and I’ve passed that on to my daughters. Together we bring discipline, pride and accountability to everything we do. As a family, our strength multiplies, and we push each other to keep raising the bar.
What do you love to do when you are not at work?
When we’re not on the job, we love spending time together. We bond, laugh, share our days. We’ve had our cries, but most importantly, we learn and grow together. Just as we’ve celebrated the highs, we’ve also faced the lows. We come up together and when we fall, we’ve had to pull each other back up.
Goals in the future — any ambitions or changes to your career, growth or education?
Our collective short-term goal is to journey out strong. Our long-term goal is to step into leadership roles and always use our voices to stand up for what’s right.
What surprised you about your trade?
We’re surprised at how much respect you earn by showing up prepared, working hard and holding your own. It’s not about proving you’re better than anyone, it’s about proving you belong. In this trade, your work speaks for itself.
What do you find frustrating about your job/trade?
The most frustrating part of working in sheet metal is seeing skilled, hard-working people overlooked or held back due to politics, favoritism or gender bias.
As Latina women and apprentices, we’ve had to prove ourselves twice as hard but instead of letting that defeat us, we use it as motivation to keep climbing and to open doors for the women coming behind us.
What’s the coolest job you’ve worked on?
For Roselyn, the shop has always been her home base, but she just recently started at the Burbank Airport and she loves it. It’s been exciting to finally take what she learned in the shop and apply it in the field.
For Perla, she’s spent a lot of time in the office (at the shop), but now she’s getting a real taste of shop work. It’s been a great experience to discover her own path in the trade.
I (Claudia) do architectural sheet metal. And my favorite project was the Century City Plaza Hotel; I got to learn a little bit of everything there.
The best part for all of us is that no matter the job, we know we’re building something real, giving our best and walking away proud of what we’ve left behind.
What traits do you think a good sheet metal worker has?
Discipline, adaptability and humility to keep learning, but above all, work ethic and heart. This trade tests you in ways only passion and perseverance can carry you through.
Why sheet metal?
It wasn’t a choice. It was the only opportunity I had. I didn’t know it would change our lives, or that what started as survival would become something I could pass down to my daughters.
Now, it’s more than a trade. It’s a legacy. Every building we’ve touched, every apprentice we’ve helped proves that this opportunity turned into purpose.
Tool you can’t live without?
Besides the obvious, we have to say NETWORKING! Tools will build a job, but networking builds opportunities, mentorship and pathways.
Best advice you got as an apprentice?
Your work is your signature; always leave behind something you can be proud of and let your work do the talking!
Best advice for an apprentice?
Don’t get comfortable. Never stop asking questions. Stay hungry, and never let anyone make you feel like you don’t belong.
Don’t get caught up in the noise. Focus on learning the craft, staying safe and building a reputation for reliability. That’s your ticket to steady work and respect.
What do you think about Tradeswomen Build Nations?
It’s empowering, inspiring and necessary. It’s not just sisterhood. It’s a whole movement.
Are you active in trade-related activities such as career fairs, volunteer work, or SMART Army events? Can you elaborate on one you participated in?
Yes, we’re very active as a family. We just hosted our very first sip and paint fundraiser for our local women’s committee with great success.
Outside of union events, we also volunteer together as year-round coaches for Autism Spectrum Athletics, coaching children and giving back to our community. It keeps us grounded and humble, and it reminds us that the trade is bigger than just us. Every time we show up, it’s not just one of us. It’s all three of us, standing together as women, mothers, and daughters that have a place here.