When Washington, D.C., Local 26 apprentice instructor Kevin Burton finished her invocation at the 2008 Women’s Conference, many delegates had tears in their eyes. “We are here because somewhere a woman made a sacrifice for us,” said Burton, who cited Scripture, “To whom much is given, much is required.”

Burton is carrying the baton of the veteran unionists she saluted in her invocation as a mentor to young members entering the electrical trade.
A National Guard veteran and a student at the University of Maryland, Burton, 30, maintains a 3.6 average and has been on the dean's list since 2007. "I'm always trying to improve. You can never have too much education," she says.

Trained as a radar repair specialist in the service, Burton answered a classified ad after her discharge in 1999 for a commercial electrician trainee. "I knew nothing about unions, I just needed a job," says Burton, who was raised in Lanham, Md.

Dave McCord, Local 26 JATC director, observed Burton move from commercial electrician into the apprenticeship. "She's very even-keeled," says McCord, who offered Burton a part-time instructor position when she topped out of the apprenticeship in 2006. McCord knew he made the right choice when Burton asked him what she could do to become a more effective instructor. He encouraged her to enroll in the National Training Institute, sponsored by the IBEW and the National Electrical Contractors Association.

Eleven months later, Burton became a full-time instructor, the first Local 26 woman to fill that position. "Kevin brings connectivity to the younger population," says McCord, who appreciates her helping him to understand the perspective of younger apprentices and residential trainees.

With 12 years separating her and high school graduates just entering the apprenticeship, Burton already feels some distance, but she works at staying current in new technologies while grappling with an education gap that has left many younger workers in need of classes in basic math and tool identification.

"Some students get turned off about the prospect of doing manual labor for the rest of their lives," says Burton, who tells them that opportunities are endless in the IBEW for all kinds of work, using herself as an example.

Brian Benjamin, a telecommunications apprentice, says, "Kevin's the best teacher I've had, period." He laughs at Burton's promise to put aside her dietary preferences and eat steak and cheese whenever an entire class scores 100 percent on a test.

Violet Quick, a Local 26 business agent, worked in the field with Burton before she became an instructor. "Kevin gives students something to strive for," says Quick. Despite her own tight schedule, Burton works extra hours helping students who are struggling and lends a hand with events at the union hall. "She goes beyond her call of duty," says Quick, a 14-year member and journeyman wireman.

Growing up, Burton said she found most of her mentors outside her family. Her father died when she was a toddler and her mother had problems with addiction and moved around a lot. "I saw a lot of things that I knew I did not want to grow up and imitate," says Burton, who has delivered three sermons at her church.

Because so many people supported her along her journey, says Burton, "I really don't have a choice. I must serve my community. I must extend a hand and help others as I was helped. I must do my best. I owe it to the universe."

If you have a story to tell about your IBEW experience, please send it to media@ibew.org.