Despite Misogynist Backlash, Female Bricklayer on TikTok Is Encouraging Women to Quit Their Office Jobs and Pick Up a Trade

Darcie Richards is an English woman who has been a professional bricklayer for about two years now. It's a trade that's been in her family for years, so why not? Now, she's gone extremely viral on TikTok and is encouraging other women to get into this male dominated occupation. 

In the U.S., 91.8% of bricklayers are men and only 4.5% women—that's a huge gender difference in the trade. Men have been preaching for years that since the job is so intensely physically demanding that women “would not be able to handle it” or that women “wouldn't be able to get as much of the work done.” Well, Darcie has post many videos dispelling this extremely sexist view point and showing that women can actually make great bricklayers. 

Her viral videos show her working hard, carrying cinderblocks up ladders, shoveling in/mixing cement—she also talks about her experiences in the trade, gives advice, and inspires women. She also deals with MANY misogynistic commenters. 

“First” day on the job, working with her dad:

Though she's only been in the trade for two years, her father and brothers are also in the business, so she's grown up around it her entire life. She also works alongside her family members and they call themselves the “Rattle Kings”. She's been interviewed about her outspoken feminist viewpoints on the career choice and about how happy she is as a bricklayer. 

“Here's why you're wrong,” she says to a commenter saying women should stay out of “men's trades.” “Through TikTok I've met loads of women in the trade, plasterer, truck drivers, electricians. We all enjoy our job, we're all good at our job, but still get hate for it. Women are strong! Women are smart! Women can do anything! Believe it or not… Women are out there building your houses. So if men can do better, how are women being employed in the trade? Because it's not a ‘man’s job' it's a job, and anyone can do it.”

Dealing with misogynistic comments:

“I would not like a woman building my house…":

“Leave it to the men”:

Another inspiring point Darcie makes is that she does not give up her feminine side just to try and fit in with the male dominated field. She also posts videos of her showing off her new outfit, dress, and embracing her got girl sh*t. But she also makes sure to let everyone know that hot girl sh*t includes doing things like bricklaying—no matter what the dumb misogynists say. 

Why you're wrong for thinking “women should stay out of men's trades”:

Hot Girl (Bricklayer) Sh*t: