About
Photo Courtesy Tradeswomen Image Library
Join the movement where women in the trades aren't just building structures—they're building the future.
The Enlighten Women's Forum returns with "Rooted and Rising," a transformative one-day experience that honors the legacy of tradeswomen while empowering the next generation of leaders. Whether you're swinging a hammer on the jobsite, managing multimillion-dollar projects, or teaching the next wave of apprentices, this is your community.
Connect with an inspiring keynote speaker who's breaking barriers in the industry, engage with expert panelists navigating leadership in male-dominated fields, and dive into hands-on workshops covering everything from workplace safety advocacy to sustainable practices. From apprentices to CEOs, you'll find your tribe—women who understand the unique challenges and incredible opportunities in construction, manufacturing, machining, and energy trades.
This isn't just another conference. It's sisterhood. It's professional development that actually gets you. It's the shot of inspiration and the practical tools you need to energize your craft and elevate your career.
Limited spots available. Secure your place at Clover Park Technical College's McGavick Conference Center and invest in yourself, your network, and your future in the trades.
2026 Theme:
Rooted & Rising
Our 2026 theme, “Rooted & Rising,” honors the deep legacy of tradeswomen while nurturing the growth of future leaders.
The Enlighten Women's Forum is designed for and welcomes a diverse group including women journeypersons, offsite professionals, apprentices, entrepreneurs, workforce development and academic staff, along with site supervisors, project managers, engineers, architects, sustainability experts, estimators, policymakers, HR and equity leaders, accountants, sustainability advocates, and enthusiasts in construction and machining trades.
The Enlighten Women’s Forum is Proudly Produced By:
The Washington State Construction Center of Excellence (CCE) is the convening and resource hub for Washington's construction industry, fostering partnerships between businesses, labor, government, and education systems. The CCE focuses on enhancing workforce development, removing apprenticeship entry barriers, and preparing a skilled, diverse workforce. The CCE supports the state community and technical college system and offers resources and training statewide, contributing significantly to the industry's growth and development.
CCE Vision: A thriving workforce that reflects and strengthens the communities it serves.
CCE Mission: Advance state-wide efforts in resolving inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) disparities throughout the construction industry by offering career planning and educational resources to all.
CCE Purpose: Provide direct access to the tools, knowledge, and community needed for successful careers in the Construction industry.
The Machinists Institute (MI) is a nonprofit educational institution serving the aerospace, manufacturing, and automotive machinists industries. Established by the International Association of Machinists District 751, the Machinists Institute proudly serves current and future workers to reach their career goals and provides cutting edge education and training to build a highly skilled and diverse workforce to meet employer demand.
MI Mission: To empower workers to build a better future through world class education, training and union rights on the job.
MI Vision: We envision a prosperity for workers across multiple industries through world class, accessible and affordable education and training by providing pathways to develop the skills needed for IAM members along with those in our community in need of opportunities and rights in the workplace.
Special Thanks to our host Clover Park Technical College
Clover Park Technical College offers more than 120 certificates or degree offerings in one of their seven schools: Aerospace & Aviation; Automotive & Trades; Advanced Manufacturing; Business & Personal Services; Health & Human Development; Nursing; Science, Technology, Engineering & Design.
Clover Park Technical College has three locations: the main campus in Lakewood, the aviation-focused South Hill Campus just south of Puyallup and adjacent to Thun Field, and the Eastside Training Center, opened in early 2025 to expand access to quality technical education on Tacoma's Eastside.
Clover Park Technical College offers excellent, affordable education, hands-on training, nationally accredited programs, and faculty and staff that are among the most talented and innovative in the nation.