Joanne WardJoanne Ward was an early affirmative action hire to work in the electrical trade for Seattle's public utility. She and her female co-workers faced the disapproval and anger of many men in the trade, who looked at women and people of color as intruder out to steal their jobs. At times their obstinance and push-back led to a work environment fraught with tension, the threat of violence, and ultimately, numerous sex discrimination cases. Joanne's memoir in poetry of her experiences as an electrical helper and eventually, a high voltage electrician, crew chief, and crew coordinator, spotlights the challenges and the satisfactions of this work. She was fascinated with industrial substation equipment and took pleasure in coordinating closely with people of diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and trades. She was eager to learn and willing to do hard, physical work, and she found her place at the table. Read More Read Less