belts. this innovative program trains women for, well, man's work. for the few who make it through the grueling ten weeks, for those who can hack the physical demands, the rewards are great. because traditionally male blue-collar jobs can pay a lot more. ironworkers, nearly all men, make on average 23 bucks an hour. waitresses make just 10. >> women have to go out to work. i have a child i have to support. >> reporter: donna williamson, a recent graduate, is back lending a hand. she was a waitress scraping by on minimum wage. now she's an ironworker making twice as much. she's developed a crushing handshake and these days carries a tool belt that's almost a third of her body weight. >> at the end of the day you are dirty, you're sweating, you don't smell the greatest. and that's fine with me. >> reporter: we followed donna to work, grinding metal. >> good day today? >> good day. >> reporter: gender equality is