Adrienne Bennett: the First Black Woman Master Plumber in the United States

A Plumbing Pioneer

Plumbing is not a profession for the faint of heart. Not only is it demanding and physically taxing, but the very labor-intensive nature of the work has often meant that it is a male-dominated profession. However, that didn’t stop Adrienne Bennett from breaking the glass ceiling.

As the first Black woman in the United States to hold the distinction of being a master plumber, Bennett has led the way for more women and Black women to enter male-dominated industries. This blog will discuss Adrienne Bennett and her career full of breaking gender and racial barriers in the plumbing field.

An Origin Story

Bennett grew up in Detroit, MI, the fourth of eight siblings and an avid math and science student. She recalls the joy of picking out aircraft models from the hobby store and building them at home. This early interest in STEM led her toward becoming a mechanical engineer. However, a racially charged encounter with an employee at the engineering firm she worked at caused her to leave the program.

Then a chance encounter with a recruiter from the Mechanical Contractors Association of Detroit at an election rally in 1976 changed her career trajectory. Gus Dowels, who was then looking for talented minority women to join a federally-sponsored apprenticeship program for skilled trades, made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. With the promise of making $50,000 annually, Bennett joined a 5-year apprenticeship program with the Plumbers’ Union.

Her Rise to the Top

Any trailblazer understands that doing something nobody has done before requires an extraordinary amount of grit and determination, something Bennett had to have a large reserve of to overcome the challenges of being successful in an overwhelmingly male profession. At the time, only five other women had gotten into the program, and for one reason or another, they all didn’t make it to the finish line. Bennett was determined not to suffer the same fate.

All the victories notched under her belt - passing tests with flying colors, earning praise from her instructors - didn’t come easy. She had to endure bullying, harassment, and even abuse from her peers, who were very vocal about not wanting her around. But she didn’t have any quit in her. Despite the hostile work environment, Bennett completed her apprenticeship and the 4,000 hours of experience required to take the master plumber exam. After passing, she became the first Black female to become a master plumber in the country and the state of Michigan.

From Master Plumber to CEO

Over her decades-long career in the field of plumbing, Bennett has practically done it all. She was a journeyman plumber, master plumber, project manager, plumbing inspector, and code enforcement officer for the city of Detroit. The only thing left that she hadn’t done was to become an independent plumbing contractor, and being the hardworking achiever that Bennett is, she did that too.

In 2008, Bennett started managing her own plumbing company based in Detroit. As CEO of the commercial plumbing and water conservation company she runs with her son, she has exceeded all expectations for her career. Her life and accomplishments have shone a bright light on the limitless possibilities for people, despite race or gender, and the importance of perseverance.

About Reeves Family Plumbing

Reeves Family Plumbing woman-owned and family-owned and operated company serving Dallas, TX, and the surrounding areas for more than 60 years. They offer free phone estimates, prompt arrivals, and fast turnarounds. Call them today for plumbing services in Dallas, TX.

Contact Information:

Reeves Family Plumbing

13328 Bee St
Dallas, TX 75234
United States

Lori Barenfeld
(972) 247-3763
http://www.reevesfamilyplumbing.com/