Women proving they can handle power engineers with state grid in Tianjin are defying traditional roles

A woman — adorned in a heavy, custom-made, metal-shielding suit — is hard at work, dozens of meters above the ground. Arcs of electricity flicker at her fingertips, and the crackling sound of current lingers in her ears. Looking up from the ground, the engineer, working on an electric tower, resembles a nimble dancer, gracefully navigating along the power lines connecting various pylons. This is a typical workday for a live-line-maintenance engineer with State Grid Tianjin Electric Power Company. In north China's Tianjin municipality, women engineers — many of whom born after 1990 — are proving they are as capable and dedicated as their male counterparts.

Take a challenge

Liu Ruiying, 32, qualified for live-line work — on ultra-high-voltage, direct-current transmission lines — in 2019, earning her the distinction as the first woman in China to so qualify. Her accomplishments, alongside those of other women in the industry, have challenged traditional perceptions about which occupations are suitable for women, and whether women are capable of performing in traditionally male-dominated sectors.

Compared with most other professions, work involved with current transmission lines is more arduous. Much of that work takes place outdoors. Many variables make the work arduous; for example, roads are often muddy and difficult to navigate, and workers are exposed to the sun and/or wind, and often have to endure either scorching heat or extreme cold. Even in harsh weather conditions, engineers must take immediate problem timely — if there is an issue with the lines. Working overtime and foregoing leisure activities tend to be "routine," which poses significant challenges to both their physical endurance and mental resilience.

Liu Ruiying works on ultra-high-voltage, direct-current transmission lines in Tianjin.

Liu joined State Grid's workforce, in Tianjin, in August 2015. She still remembers the first time she climbed an electric tower. "The first time I attempted to climb the tower, when I was looking up, the iron structure seemed to be leaning toward me. After I had climbed over 10 meters, my heart was pounding heavily, my breath quickened and my palms were sweating. I was too nervous to move my feet and take one more step …

"And, finally, after I reached the top of the tower, I looked down to the ground, which was so distant from me. The wind whistled as I was walking along the lines. It would definitely be a lie if I said, 'I was not afraid' on that occasion," Liu recalls.

Working on transmission lines requires one to not only be courageous, but to also have physical strength. Walking on the ground with an array of safety equipment, such as a safety harness, a back-protection rope, a belt on the waist, and a self-locking hook that serves as a fall arrester, can be strenuous, let alone the climbing, ascending and operating the machinery. It can be one challenge after another for the workers.

Liu emphasizes the importance of maintaining physical fitness, by exercising regularly. Some of her male colleagues have suggested she apply for a transfer, or switch to an office position. Liu will have none of that talk. Driven by her indomitable spirit, Liu has persisted in practicing her work tasks, and continuously pushing her limits, to remain a skilled, "high-altitude-operation soldier."

Says Liu: "If others think this job is not suitable for a woman, I will refuse to be a quitter. It is, of course, a huge challenge, but my goal is to conquer the electric towers."

As a result of her repeated practicing the high-altitude operations, Liu has achieved what others have deemed to be "mission impossible." She continues surpassing her limits, by nurturing her strong willpower to prove women can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their male counterparts. Moreover, many of her women colleagues actually excel in efficiently completing maintenance and fault detection tasks.

Role model

In 2023, two teams of women engineers, from State Grid Tianjin Electric Power Company, were named National Advanced Women's Teams.

In addition, seven women received individual awards or titles, including National May 1 Woman Pacesetter, National May 1 Labor Medal, March 8th Red-Banner Holder in Tianjin, and Woman Striver Pacesetter at State Grid. The women were being recognized for having made exceptional contributions to society while working in the power industry.

Zhao Nan, 34, was named a March 8th Red-Banner Holder in Tianjin's Ninghe district in February this year. "To protect the 'heart' of the grid, represented by various transformer substations, I believe I should work as a 'responsible doctor,' who 'cures diseases' at our stations," says Zhao, who leads a team of seven engineers.

Zhao Nan works in a power station in Ninghe district, Tianjin.

Since 2016, when she earned her master's degree in electric power engineering at Yanshan University, in north China's Hebei Province, Zhao has performed critical tasks, including overhauling circuit breakers and conducting internal inspections of capacitive switches in substations. She has contributed to significant projects, including the replacement of high-kilowatt transformers. During the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Zhao participated in the eight-month project of securing the power supply for the grand sports event.

"My passion for this career motivates the efforts I make. Care, as a trait often associated with women, is crucial for me to succeed in fulfilling various tasks. Many people may think women are not suited to work in maintenance posts, because they have to endure fatigue and exposure to dirt, as well as the great pressure of round-the-clock readiness to participate in emergency repairs. But, at my post, I have discovered my own value. Knowing my efforts help spread light to countless homes, my heart is filled with a sense of pride," Zhao explains.

Liu, while echoing Zhao, emphasizes the inner strength and endurance possessed by women who work in the power industry, especially when they are handling dangerous tasks. "Sometimes, I don't tell my mother that I am actually doing a risky job. I'm afraid she will worry about me," Liu says. She is constantly inspired and encouraged by the company's March 8th live-line work team, established during the 1970s.

Spirit inherited

Sun Baoling was one of the deputy heads of the March 8th live-line work team in 1973, when the team was established. The team was initially composed of 10 women, aged 18 to 20.

The young women cut off their ponytails — a popular hairstyle in China at that time — so they could work more conveniently, and so they could better ensure their safety while working at heights.

"From my perspective, power grid rescue and maintenance work is for all people … Our commitment is often highly appreciated at the grassroots level," Sun says.

A photo taken in the 1970s, recording the March 8th live-line work team

Now in her 70s, Sun helps provide volunteer services in several communities in Tianjin's Hebei District. "I am always proud to help those who are in need. I have had the habit of helping others since I worked as a high-altitude power engineer," she adds.

"Perseverance, ambition, camaraderie, optimism." Sun says those four words best summarize the shared character traits of her former teammates (in the 1970s). Today, the retired women engineers tell younger generations of their families their stories about working in the power industry. They hope their offspring will work diligently, to achieve success. They spread a positive life attitude throughout their surroundings, and they encourage people to lead a life full of cheer and optimism.

Photos from State Grid Tianjin Electric Power Company

(Women of China English Monthly September 2024)