L.U. 666 (i,mt,o&ptc), RICHMOND, VA — Gabi Schoppe was a foreman of brickmasons, running the work but worrying about the toll that nonunion work would have on her body in the long term. One Thursday, she wandered into a bar where some IBEW Local 666 members were gathered. A long conversation with a sister that night led Gabi to decide to leave her old trade for a new one.
Months later, Gabi found herself interviewing for the apprenticeship. Not every committee member seemed well disposed toward the 23-year-old woman. But she spoke of her background in the building trades and with characteristic bluntness told them, “I’m going to be an electrician regardless of the path I have to take to get there.” The committee made the right decision and let her in.
On jobsites, people took notice of Gabi’s hard work and endless willingness to help out. Drawn into the Brotherhood, the passion other people showed opened up a similar passion in her, and she became more and more involved in the union, being elected as president of the Women’s Committee in August. In June of 2024, Gabi will top out as an IBEW journeyman inside wirewoman, and the path she took was the right one — union!
Scott Durbin, P.S.
