Today, women represent approximately 3% of American plumbers. That number is much less here in Western New York.
TONAWANDA, N.Y. — In a mostly male-dominated field, a Western New York woman is growing Roy’s Plumbing business. It’s now celebrating more than five decades in business.
It’s rare for a woman to be at the helm of a plumbing company, but Marsha Dollendorf has been doing it for over 50 years at Roy’s Plumbing.
Marsha’s husband, Roy, started the business in 1973. Ten years later, the company suffered a huge loss when Roy passed away from a massive heart attack.
Dollendorf inherited the company, but there was only one way the company could survive. She needed to get her Master Plumber License.
“I took the City of Buffalo Master Plumber exam and successfully passed it. At the time, I was told that I was the first female Master Plumber outside of New York City in the state,” Dollendorf said.
Today, women represent approximately 3% of American plumbers. That number is much less here in Western New York.
Over the years, two of Dollendorf’s children and four of her grandchildren, including one who’s also a woman, have become active in the company, making it become what it is today.
“I would say to anyone that is thinking about entering the field, they can have a very good living in this industry. And I would encourage young people in schools to think about going into a trade program for the trades as supposed to college, if that’s not where they want to be,” Dollendorf.
Over 50 years later, Roy’s Plumbing continues to be in business. Dollendorf said they are also always looking for ways to give back to the community.
For the past 10 years, the company has focused on its community charity initiative. Dollendorf said with every lawn sign donation, the company donates $5 to a local charity.
So far, they’ve been able to give back to over 44 different charities across Western New York including the newly-created Firefighter Arno Memorial Foundation.
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