My journey had always been to be a carpenter. I expected not only a challenging job but also the chance to be part of a historic transformation, social and economic, that would make the construction trades accessible to women. That transformation did not happen until years after I started with affirmative action laws.

It includes my many jobs I had along the way, teaching myself to become a carpenter. I knew no one in my family who where in the trades. Nor did they have any friends that were. My mother’s family Helene' came from Canada. She was one of my first role models for hard work. And I loved her dearly! But I left home at 18 years old to pursue my dreams.

I knew that it would be difficult, because I never heard of a female carpenter anywhere at my young age of 18. It was exceedingly difficult trying to find work in an all-male oriented construction industry. But my story tells all.

Even my family thought I was crazy for dropping out of college to pursue this kind of career. I was awarded scholarships in physical education and music at the University of Chicago.

There were many angry and frustrating days along my journey to success, and I sometimes took it out on the people around me. But all in all, it made me tuff for what was to come.

It was always puzzling to me also as to why I was so passionate about becoming a carpenter, but I knew I would love it because I liked working with my hands, building things and being outside. The cold never bothered me, but the heat did.

I found out later in life that it had to be biological even though no one in my family had been in trade in the United States.  When I found my biological parents in Canada, I found out almost every family member was in a trade. Including an uncle who owned one of the largest commercial contracting companies in Montreal, Quebec, called “Celeb Construction Company”. My last name spelled backwards Belec.

My name was shortened from Joannette to Joanet in the United States. Then when I found out the parents that raised me where not my real parents. I found out my biological parents sur name was Belec.

I however did not find any of this out until I was almost 60 years old.

My journey took me to places and things I never dreamed I would be doing. Including fighting for the right to be carpenter as a woman thru-out the 1970’s. I found out that gender barriers were are deeply embedded in the organizations like unions and the culture of the construction workplace.

I have always been self-educated. I have written many articles online for equal rights. Developed several websites and I have owned businesses and managed construction jobsites. Including joining many other organizations along the way.

I currently live in Montreal, Quebec, Canada where I retired in 2018. Canada wanted me to use my adoptive parents surname so now it is Chris L. Joannette. I decided not to use my biological parents’ surname Belec officially, even though it is my biological name.

My story tells the rest.