Mobile sanitation operator urges more women to join city’s sanitation workforce

Janelle Glasker, Operator 3 in the City of Mobile’s sanitation department, said she has driven garbage collection routes for two and a half years and recommended the job to other women in remarks recorded in the meeting transcript.

Glasker said the work involves more than collecting refuse and that she finds the job rewarding. Her comments framed the work as an opportunity that challenges assumptions about women’s roles in municipal services and as a position that can motivate others.

"I don't know if you know the little teddy bear game that they have in the arcades. Yeah. I feel like that's what I'll be playing sometimes. It's kind of fun. I would recommend this job for women my age or just women in general," Glasker said.

"It's something different. A lot of people think that women cannot do this job, or it's just too much for a woman, especially because it's you're just picking up garbage all day, but it's actually more than that. And I like to feel that I can do more I can do the same thing as a man. It's very honoring. I'm very appreciative that my work is being seen and is motivating other people," she added.

Glasker identified her role plainly toward the end of her remarks: "I'm a garbage driver for the city of Mobile. My department is sanitation." The transcript indicates she has been in the position about two and a half years and described the daily routine of pretripping the vehicle and following a route.

Her remarks in the transcript consisted of a personal endorsement of sanitation work and an appeal to other women to consider the occupation. No formal actions, motions, or policy changes are recorded in the provided transcript segments.