Adrienne Bennett: A Plumbing Powerhouse
It’s time to meet a new icon this Black History Month, and her name is Adrienne Bennett. With more than 40 years in the plumbing industry, she has gone where few women have gone before, starting her career as an apprentice and today being the CEO of her own company. Here’s what to know about how one woman broke through the glass ceiling of the plumbing industry to become the first Black woman to become a master plumber in the United States.
Bennett Came From Humble Beginnings in Detroit, Michigan
Adrienne Bennett was one of eight children. Growing up in Detroit, she was enrolled in a parochial school. In 2018, Bennett told CNN in regard to her early education: “I was taught as a young child that you finish what you start and you do a job well.”
From a very early age, Bennett was interested in science and math, captivated by the Apollo spacecraft. She spent a lot of time assembling model planes and rockets. But then, after experiencing a racially motivated incident at an engineering firm in Detroit, Bennett was discouraged and left the program within a year.
The Journey From Apprentice to Plumbing Contractor
On a September 1976 morning, Bennett’s life changed forever. At a Jimmy Carter rally, she met Gus Dowels, who was recruiting women of color to join a federally-sponsored plumbing program. He asked Bennett: “How would you like to make $50,000 a year?” The rest is history.
Yet, the road to success wasn’t paved with gold. Bennett soon found herself as the only woman in many of her classes. Still, this didn’t discourage her. After many successful exams, Bennett caught the approval of her classmates and educators. Soon, she was on the road to becoming a journeyman plumber. Although she was met with backlash, hostility, and racism, she had a bigger dream: to become a master plumber.
Bennett Today
When looking back on her decades-long career, Bennett shared: “I’ve been a journeyman plumber, a master plumber, project manager, plumbing inspector, and code enforcement officer for the city of Detroit for a decade. There was no place left to go but become an independent contractor.”
Today, Bennett is the owner and CEO of her own company, Benkari LLC. She runs the organization with her son. Benkari LLC focuses on commercial plumbing and water conservation efforts. The company is involved in an effort to rebuild Detroit as it recovers from a financial crisis. Since its establishment in 2008, her business is still going strong and has gotten some big contracts. Adrienne Bennett broke barriers as the first Black female to become a master plumber in the United States and continues to be successful in the industry today.
About Hancock & Son Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning
Hancock & Son Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning is a locally owned and operated company serving Salisbury, MD, and the surrounding areas. They offer honest pricing, personalized service options, and 24/7 emergency services. Call them today for plumbing services in Salisbury, MD.
