Breaking Barriers, Building Futures

At American Standard, we’re proud to stand with the trade community—not just today, but for the future. As a brand built on trust, performance, and a deep connection with plumbing professionals, we know the importance of investing in the next generation of skilled talent. That’s why we partner each year with Tools and Tiaras Inc. to host a camp at our Water Experience Center: to introduce girls to the world of plumbing and the power of hands-on problem-solving and to help them see a future they may not have considered before.

We hosted this year’s summer camp at the LIXIL Water Experience Center in New York City  , where American Standard technologies brought learning to life. With fewer young people entering the trades—and women still making up less than 4% of the construction workforce—it’s never been more important to show what a future in the trades can look like.

Tell Me About Tools & Tiaras

Tools & Tiaras was founded by Judaline Cassidy, a pioneering plumber, mentor, and passionate advocate for women in the trades. As one of the first women accepted into the Plumbers Union in New York City, Judaline knows firsthand the challenges and the possibilities that come with breaking barriers. Her mission is simple but powerful: to ensure that every girl knows she can pursue a career in the trades and thrive.

Through engaging, hands-on workshops and summer camps, Tools & Tiaras introduces girls to fields like plumbing, construction, electrical work, and welding, where women are still significantly underrepresented. The goal is not just to teach skills, but to build confidence, leadership, and a sense of belonging in careers where girls may not always see themselves reflected. Judaline’s message is clear: jobs have no gender, and every child deserves the chance to explore the trades without limits.

By connecting girls with tools, mentors, and a community of support, Tools & Tiaras is helping to reshape the future of the trades,  one camper at a time. That’s where American Standard comes in. By opening the doors of our Water Experience Center and partnering with Judaline and her team, we’re giving girls the chance to explore real-world plumbing technology, meet professionals in the field, and imagine themselves in careers that are essential to the future.

A Camp Designed to Spark Curiosity

At the heart of the Tools & Tiaras camp was a series of immersive, interactive stations, each designed to introduce campers to the real-world science, creativity, and impact behind plumbing and water technology. First, campers compared an early 20th-century toilet to our modern-day Champion model, exploring how design, manufacturing, and flushing power have evolved over time. They got hands-on with a see-through tank and even ran a version of the famous golf ball test to see just how powerful today’s toilets can be. Next the campers built their own DIY water filters using sand, charcoal and cotton balls to learn about the science and process behind creating filters for home and commercial use. Other stations allowed the campers to get hands-on with our product installations on the lower level of the Water Experience Center -from a carnival-style beach ball game with different showerheads to washing away painted designs on ceramic plated using different faucets.. Every station had a shared purpose: to help girls experience plumbing not just as a career path, but as a world of possibility.

Introducing girls to the trades at a young age helps shift mindsets and broaden horizons, not just for the campers but for the industry as a whole. Camps like Tools & Tiaras do more than teach how to install a toilet or test water pressure. They demonstrate that technical skill, problem-solving, and innovation are open to everyone. By creating space for girls to explore, ask questions, and build confidence, we help foster a more inclusive pipeline of future professionals. And by opening our doors at LIXIL, we are not only supporting this important mission but also investing in a stronger and more diverse future for the trades.

Looking Ahead

We are incredibly grateful to Judaline and the Tools & Tiaras team for bringing their energy and mission to the Water Experience Center. It was not just a day of fun. It was a meaningful step in building the future of the trades. By reaching girls early and introducing them to plumbing and water technology, we are helping to expand the pipeline of future professionals and supporting our commitment to grow the prosumer network. This partnership is one of the many ways American Standard is building the future of the trades—one that’s more skilled, more diverse, and more ready than ever to meet the challenges ahead.

But our support doesn’t end there. Through our TradeUp program, American Standard provides exclusive tools, training, and rewards that help aspiring plumbers grow their skills and veteran plumbers grow their businesses. Whether it's a young girl discovering plumbing for the first time or a seasoned pro looking to stay ahead, we’re here to support the journey every step of the way.

This partnership is one of the many ways American Standard is building the future of the trades— one that’s more skilled, more diverse, and more ready than ever to meet the challenges ahead.

The trades are changing. And we’re proud to be part of that change.

Author: Bridget Battistone is the Leader of the American Standard Brand at LIXIL. She oversees brand and channel marketing, product development, and merchandising within the Americas region.