Evelyn Pacheco became Nevada’s first black female plumber 17 years ago. She isn’t aware of any woman who’s followed in her footsteps. Now she is working to change that.

Sister Pacheco has officially launched Nevada Women in Trades, a nonprofit dedicated to encouraging and preparing women to enter blue-collar trade occupations. Now, her nonprofit has amassed a bevy of formal partners and supporters, including several state lawmakers, local trade unions and government agencies. Pacheco was twice asked to discuss women in the trades on the floor of the Nevada Legislature — once by Democratic Assemblywoman Rochelle Nguyen and once by Democratic Assemblywoman Selena Torres. Both women represent central parts of the City of Las Vegas.