Women's Journal — Health, Beauty, Fitness & Lifestyle
Women in Skilled Trades Gain New Career Opportunities
Women are gaining ground in skilled trades such as construction, crane operation, welding and automotive repair as employers expand recruitment efforts and improve workplace conditions. Federal workforce figures show gradual increases in female participation, while technical education institutions report growing enrollment among women pursuing hands-on careers. Despite these gains, women remain underrepresented in many trade occupations, making access to training, career advancement and supportive workplaces important considerations for the industry. Key Takeaways Women accounted for approximately 4.4% of U.S. construction, installation and repair workers in 2025, up from 2.9% a decade earlier Tower crane operator Sammy Cossairt earns a reported $120,000 annually, illustrating the earning potential of certain specialized trades Women represent 8% of students at Universal Technical Institute, with female enrollment reaching 19% in some technical programs Mortenson reports that women now account for more than 10% of its skilled workforce, compared with 7% a decade ago Employers are improving recruitment and retention through paid maternity leave, flexible schedules, better facilities and appropriately fitted protective equipment Women Increase Their Representation in Skilled Trades Women in skilled trades are entering occupations that have historically employed predominantly male workforces. Construction, equipment operation, electrical work and automotive repair are among the fields
UCLA Study Reports Less Menopause Brain Fog After Hormones
A small UCLA Health case series found that 20 menopausal women reported improvements in brain fog and several cognitive symptoms after 12 months of customized estriol and progesterone treatment. The findings add preliminary evidence to research on menopause brain fog, but the uncontrolled study cannot show that the hormone regimen caused the changes. Key Takeaways The study followed 20 menopausal women with a mean age of 53.5 for 12 months. Participants received customized oral estriol and progesterone treatment and reported improvements in six cognitive areas, including brain fog and memory. The human findings were based on self-reported symptoms measured before treatment and again at 12 months. The study had no placebo group, randomization, or untreated comparison group, preventing researchers from establishing causation. Researchers called for larger placebo-controlled trials using standardized cognitive testing and brain imaging. UCLA Study Finds Improvement in Self-Reported Cognitive Symptoms UCLA researchers reported statistically significant improvements in menopause brain fog and several related cognitive complaints after 20 women received customized estriol and progesterone treatment for 12 months. Published September 1, 2026, in Scientific Reports, the observational case series included menopausal women with a mean age of 53.5. Participants rated their cognitive symptoms before treatment and again at
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New Child Care Report Reveals the Hidden Cost for Working Moms
A Louisiana report released in October 2026 documents how child care costs and limited availability affect parents’ jobs, with female respondents reporting especially pronounced shifts from full-time to part-time work. The findings explain the financial pressures, scheduling problems, and limited assistance facing families with young children, alongside national data on care prices. Key Takeaways The October 13 report surveyed 500 Louisiana adults caring for children younger than five. Among female respondents answering employment questions, 24.1% reported moving from full-time to part-time work because of child care problems. Infant care averaged approximately $12,042 annually in the report’s inflation-adjusted Louisiana pricing estimate. Nearly 70% of survey respondents reported some difficulty finding affordable child care. A new study from the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children found that child care difficulties coincided with reduced work schedules and job departures among parents of young children. In responses broken down by gender, 24.1% of women said child care problems had led them to move from full-time to part-time employment, compared with 5.9% of men. The institute released The Missing Piece on October 13. Louisiana State University researchers surveyed 500 adults caring for children four and younger from April 13 to April 21. Employment figures reflect 411
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