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