🔎 Episode Overview

In this Flashcards episode of Math! Science! History!, we celebrate the life and legacy of Lillian Baumbach Jacobs, the first female master plumber in the U.S. Just in time for next week’s Fix a Leak Week, we explore how Lillian defied societal norms, mastered a trade dominated by men, and became an unexpected icon, even receiving fan mail from soldiers during the Korean War. From her early days learning plumbing alongside her father to becoming the head of Baumbach Plumbers, Lillian’s journey was one of perseverance, skill, and leadership. Her legacy not only paved the way for women in the trades but also serves as a powerful reminder that passion and expertise matter more than outdated stereotypes. In this episode, we discuss three major lessons we can take from her story—breaking barriers, following passion over stereotypes, and creating opportunities by challenging norms. Whether you’re pursuing a career in STEM, trades, business, or leadership, Lillian’s journey proves that no field is off-limits.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

✔️ Break Barriers in Any Industry
✔️ Follow Passion Over Stereotypes
✔️ Create Opportunities by Challenging Norms

🏛 Links & Resources:

Women in Plumbing & Piping (WiPP) – wipp.org (A network supporting women in the plumbing industry)

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) – nawic.org (Support and scholarships for women in construction and trades)

The United Association (UA) – Plumbers & Pipefitters Apprenticeships – uanet.org

Fix a Leak Week Resources – epa.gov/watersense (EPA resources for water conservation and leak repair)

📢 📢 📢 Check out the podcast Etymoleon –Word History, the etymology podcast: https://etymoleon.com

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📚 To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

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On Matters of Consequence from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

Until next time, carpe diem!