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June 16th, 2025
1049 Women's committee
re-launch program
Empowering. Uniting. Leading.
Join us as we re-launch the IBEW Local 1049 Women's Committee!
Our IBEW Local 1049 Women’s Committee proudly serves as a voice, support system, and resource for all of the hardworking women in our union. Our committee exists to uplift and empower IBEW sisters across all trades and job classifications.
We are dedicated to:
Building a strong sisterhood through mentorship, networking, and support.
Championing equity by addressing workplace challenges unique to women in the electrical industry.
Promoting leadership and professional growth through training, workshops, and opportunities for advancement.
Engaging our communities through outreach, service, and union pride.
Whether you're new to the trade or a seasoned journeywoman, our committee is a space to connect, grow, and inspire. Together, we are stronger—and together, we’re lighting the way for the next generation of IBEW women.
The Honorable Valerie M. Cartright
Special Guest Speaker • NYS Supreme Court Justice
The Honorable Valerie M. Cartright is the first Haitian American elected to the New York State Supreme Court, serving Suffolk County since January 1, 2021. Prior to her judicial appointment, she made history as the first Black Councilwoman in the Town of Brookhaven, with a population of approximately 500,000 residents, where she served for seven years as a champion of local environment as well as an advocate for increased community development and improved local governance.
Justice Cartright holds a J.D. from Touro University Jacob D. Fuschberg Law Center and a B.A in International Studies from West Virginia University. Licensed to practice law in New York, New Jersey, and Florida, she brings a wealth of litigation experience in civil, criminal, and civil rights law, particularly in voter protection.
An active leader in the legal community, she has held prominent roles in numerous bar associations and currently serves on several boards, Past President of the Amistad Long Island Black Bar Association, the former Chairperson of the Civil Rights Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association and the former Chairperson of the Young Lawyers Section of the New York State Bar Association. She presently sits on the Boards of the National Bar Association-Women Lawyers Division and the Haitian American Lawyers Association of New York. She is an active member of the American Bar Association, Suffolk County Bar Association, Judicial Friends, National Haitian American Elected Officials Network, and the Suffolk County Women in Courts Committee.
Mary Roethgen
IBEW 1049 Women’s Committee Chair • Union Steward • EWMC VP
Meet Our Chair: Mary Roethgen
A proud member of IBEW Local 1049 for 5 years, Mary is passionate about empowering women and building solidarity. She stepped into leadership to create a space for women to be heard—and to make sure there are more seats at the table for future generations.As a union steward and Vice President of the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus, Mary leads with purpose, compassion, and a deep belief that solidarity makes us stronger. Her vision for the Women’s Committee is simple, but powerful: a lasting space for equity, mentorship, and real change.
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Gemma Deleon-Lopresti
Special Guest Speaker • GDL training and consulting
Gemma Deleon-Lopresti is a seasoned mediator, trainer and certified Prosci change management practitioner with extensive experience supporting leaders through times of transition and growth. She specializes in conflict resolution, leadership development, and joint labor-management problem solving, and has delivered hundreds of customized workshops across sectors including, healthcare, public transit, higher education, arts and culture, labor unions, and manufacturing. She also served as Executive Vice President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union and President of Local 1102 RWDSU/UFCW, where she was a trailblazer for women in union leadership.
Deeply committed to community engagement, Gemma serves as a trustee of Suffolk County Community College and sits on advisory boards for the Long Island Power Authority and the Energeia Partnership. She has also taught business management at Nassau Community College. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and an MBA in Business Management from St. John’s University.