Authorities at Binswanger Glass honored Carlotta Garrett, Glazing Superintendent at Binswanger Glass of Memphis, Tennessee, for International Women’s Day, March 9, and Women in Construction Week, which was the first week of March.
What Binswanger says about Garrett
Known affectionately as Carla the Beast by her colleagues, Garrett is a 2024 recipient of the Glazier of the Year Award. With 35 years of experience in glazing, Garrett has paved a path in the construction world—often needing to overcome barriers and shatter expectations as a woman in a male-dominated industry.
Garrett’s career began when she was 15, following in the footsteps of her father, who was also a glazier. But her dad didn’t just teach her the trade—he encouraged her to learn it herself, sparking her curiosity and independent spirit. Whether mastering the art of glass cutting, chopping metal, or expertly setting glass, Garrett turned her natural talent and tenacity into expertise. She quickly earned a reputation for being faster, more skilled, and more dedicated than most.
Her achievements extend far beyond credentials like completing the OSHA 30-hour course and earning lift/boom and CPR certifications. Garrett is a trailblazer who continuously raises the bar, not just for herself but for everyone around her. "Having a great team is everything to me," says Garrett. Garrett adds that seeing customers light up at the beauty of a finished project is what fuels her drive every day.
Her success hasn’t come without challenges. "Being a girl makes it 10 times better," says Garrett. When pulling up to job sites, Garrett says she often faces skepticism, but she relishes proving what she can do, showing, not just telling, how capable women in construction really are. "It makes me stronger. It makes me who I am. I just love glass so much," says Garrett, adding that her father’s legacy continues to live on through her work.
Garrett’s influence reaches far beyond the job site. She is a mentor to many, sharing her wisdom to inspire the next generation of glaziers. "I have a lot of women approach me and ask, ‘How did you get your job?’ I tell them, 35 years of working hard and proving myself," says Garrett. She emphasizes that starting young, offering education, and recruiting right out of high school can open doors for more women in the field. "There’s a lot of strong women these days, and I love to promote them."
For Garrett, the construction industry is more than a career; it’s a family. "The glaziers I’ve trained, the customers I’ve won over, even those who drive miles for me to cut their glass—it’s my big family. It’s what I love so much."
Binswanger Glass says in a release that it "celebrates Garrett not just for her unparalleled skill as a glazier but for her resilience, leadership, and dedication to fostering a community within the industry. Her story is a reminder that hard work, passion, and persistence can break down barriers and open doors for future generations."
