Women Leading the Charge: Honoring Power, Progress & Purpose
Gretchen Newsom and other trailblazing women are honored at San Diego’s Electrical Workers Minority Caucus event, highlighting leadership, equity, and workforce impact.
Electrical Workers Minority Caucus celebrates Women’s History Month with Trailblazer Awards, civic recognition, and a historic proclamation in San Diego’s Fourth District
On Saturday, March 14, leaders, advocates, and community members gathered in San Diego for a powerful Women’s History Month reception hosted by the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC) of San Diego and Imperial Counties. Supported by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 569, the EWMC, and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), the event celebrated women whose leadership is shaping the future of labor, education, and community advancement.
Among the evening’s honorees, Gretchen Newsom stood out as a leader whose impact extends across policy, labor, and regional development. Her work has played a pivotal role in shaping pro-worker initiatives and expanding opportunities for union members across California.
Jeremy Abrams further emphasized her influence, stating:
“Gretchen has demonstrated both tenacity and strategic savvy during her career. Through a series of bold campaigns, she has created long-lasting and significant changes. She was instrumental in the efforts to shift the San Diego City Council, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, and many other city councils to pro-worker majorities. Gretchen was instrumental in efforts to change leadership and direction at key regional agencies leading to more and better work for IBEW members. Gretchen builds coalitions to win, as demonstrated by her successful eight-year effort to adopt the nation’s second largest Project Labor Agreement at SANDAG, valued at $163 billion. Gretchen understands how to win the fight today — and how to build the power we will need to win the fight tomorrow.”
Civic Leadership and Recognition
A defining presence at the event was San Diego City Councilman Henry Foster III of the Fourth District. With over 25 years in the construction industry and more than a decade in public service, Foster brings hands-on expertise and deep community connection to City Hall—making his attendance especially meaningful.
Councilman Foster helped make possible a powerful moment of recognition, presenting Trailblazer Award recipient Jenifer Arce with an official proclamation declaring March 14 as “Jenifer Arce Day” in the Fourth Council District.
A Story That Redefines Possibility
Jenifer Arce’s journey is one of resilience and reinvention. Beginning her career as an ironworker at the age of 43, she entered the trades through the MC3 pre-apprenticeship program and successfully journeyed out into a thriving career.
Her story stands as a reminder that it is never too late to pursue a new path—one that can change not only your life, but the future of your family.
Leadership Driving Workforce Equity
Also recognized was the broader leadership shaping policy and access within the region, including San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe. Her support of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Project Labor Agreement (PLA), approved in October 2021, reflects a commitment to labor stability, fair wages, and high safety standards for major public infrastructure projects.
The PLA policy applies to construction projects exceeding $1 million and plays a critical role in preventing work stoppages such as strikes or lockouts, while strengthening the use of skilled local labor. Policies like these ensure that public investment translates into community benefit—creating jobs, protecting workers, and maintaining project efficiency.
The event also highlighted leaders whose work continues to expand access and opportunity across San Diego. Brisa Johnson, Executive Director of the Black Workers Center, has spent much of her life advocating for social justice in a variety of capacities—from leading civic engagement initiatives to spearheading the creation of the San Diego Black Worker Center. Her work centers on equity, empowerment, and ensuring that underserved communities have access to quality employment and economic opportunity. Dr. Tina King, President of San Diego Continuing Education, plays a critical role in building accessible pathways into the workforce. Through programming and classes designed around “earn-and-learn” models, her leadership helps reduce barriers and create structured opportunities for local residents and students to enter high-demand careers with real support and guidance.
The Power of the Building Trades
The significance of this event extends beyond recognition—it highlights the essential role of the building trades in shaping economic mobility. Careers supported by organizations like IBEW and NECA offer strong wages, comprehensive benefits, and long-term stability. For many families, these opportunities serve as the foundation of generational wealth—creating access to homeownership, financial security, and upward mobility that extends far beyond a single generation. The Electrical Workers Minority Caucus continues to champion this access, ensuring that historically underrepresented communities are not only included, but empowered within these pathways.
A Legacy Rooted in Equity
Founded in the 1970s, the EWMC has long advocated for minority representation within the electrical workforce. Known as “the conscience of the IBEW,” the organization continues to push for equity, leadership, and inclusion across the trades.Locally, its work in San Diego and Imperial Counties focuses on mentorship, workforce training, and building sustainable pipelines into high-paying careers.
This recognition is part of the March 2026 San Diego Weekly Standouts Series honoring leaders shaping San Diego, California, the Cali-Baja region, and communities connected to the region around the world.
San Diego Weekly Standouts | March 2026 Honoree
About the San Diego Standouts Series
The San Diego Standouts Series from San Diego Weekly highlights individuals whose leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and service are helping shape the future of San Diego, California, the Cali-Baja region, and communities connected to the region around the world.
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Profiles featured in the San Diego Standouts Series are selected by the San Diego Weekly editorial team to highlight individuals whose leadership and service are helping shape San Diego and the Cali-Baja region. The Editor’s Choice is for individuals whose impact on San Diego and the broader region is undeniable: the founders redefining industries, the advocates transforming communities, and the visionaries building what comes next. Past and current considerations include civic leaders, nonprofit founders, tech entrepreneurs, educators, creatives, and cultural icons across the San Diego and Cali-Baja region. These editorial recognitions are independent features and honors, there is no fee required to be selected.
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