Women make up 3% of this famed NYC job: Meet the rare breed of city ‘doorwomen’

New York Post - May 8th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Maria Silva, Yaphia Pabon, and Sharon Noel Lake are among the rare female doormen, or 'doorwomen,' in New York City, a role traditionally dominated by men. They represent just 3% of the workforce in this field. Despite facing challenges such as gender bias and skepticism about their ability to handle the job's demands, they have established themselves as indispensable parts of their communities. Silva, for instance, has worked in her Brooklyn building for nine years, forming close bonds with the residents and being an integral part of their lives.

The presence of female doormen signifies a shift in the traditional demographics of this iconic New York City profession, historically seen as a male domain. Their stories highlight the evolving nature of the job and the importance of community connections. The experiences of Silva, Pabon, and Lake also reflect broader societal changes regarding gender roles in the workplace, emphasizing the need for equal opportunities and the breaking of stereotypes. This evolution in the doorman industry illustrates the ongoing challenges and triumphs of pioneering women in male-dominated fields.

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RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a compelling and well-structured exploration of the challenges and successes of women working as doormen in New York City. It effectively uses personal narratives to humanize the broader issues of gender equality and representation in the workforce. The story is largely accurate, with most claims supported by personal accounts and general industry knowledge, although it could benefit from more explicit sourcing for statistical data and historical context.

The article is timely and relevant, addressing ongoing societal concerns about gender dynamics and workplace diversity. It engages readers through its relatable storytelling and has the potential to influence public opinion by raising awareness of the challenges faced by women in male-dominated professions. While the article could include more diverse perspectives and authoritative sources, it remains a valuable contribution to discussions about gender equality and representation.

Overall, the article is well-written, accessible, and engaging, making it an effective piece for informing and inspiring readers to consider the broader implications of gender dynamics in the workforce.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story provides a detailed account of women working as doormen in New York City, a role traditionally dominated by men. It presents factual claims, such as the statistic that women make up 3% of the doorman workforce, which aligns with union demographic data. This claim is crucial as it sets the context for the rarity of female doormen. The article also accurately describes the challenges faced by women in this profession, such as gender bias in hiring and workplace dynamics, which are supported by personal narratives.

However, some claims require further verification, such as the exact percentage of women in the workforce compared to other professions like taxi drivers and MTA employees. While the article mentions these statistics, it doesn't provide sources for them, which could affect the perceived accuracy. Additionally, the historical context provided by Andrew Alpern regarding the evolution of the doorman profession could benefit from more corroboration with historical labor data.

Overall, the story is largely accurate, with most claims supported by personal accounts and general industry knowledge. However, it would benefit from more explicit sourcing for statistical data and historical context to ensure precision and verifiability.

7
Balance

The article presents a balanced view by highlighting the experiences of three women working as doormen in New York City, each with unique stories and perspectives. It effectively contrasts their experiences with the traditional male-dominated nature of the profession, providing a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities they face.

However, the story could benefit from including perspectives from male doormen or industry experts to provide a more comprehensive view of the profession's dynamics. This would help balance the narrative by showing how gender dynamics play out across the entire workforce, not just from the perspective of women.

The article does well in not overtly favoring one perspective over another, focusing on personal experiences and the broader context of gender in the workforce. It acknowledges both the difficulties and the rewarding aspects of the job for these women, providing a well-rounded portrayal of their roles.

8
Clarity

The article is well-written and clearly structured, making it easy for readers to follow the narrative. It effectively uses personal stories to illustrate broader themes, such as gender dynamics and workplace challenges, which helps engage the reader and convey the main points.

The language is straightforward and accessible, avoiding jargon or overly complex sentences. This clarity ensures that the article is understandable to a general audience, regardless of their familiarity with the topic.

While the article is generally clear, it could benefit from more explicit transitions between sections, particularly when shifting from personal anecdotes to broader context or statistical claims. This would help maintain the logical flow and ensure that readers can easily follow the progression of ideas.

6
Source quality

The article relies heavily on personal narratives from the women featured, which adds authenticity and depth to their stories. These firsthand accounts are valuable for understanding the personal impact of working in a male-dominated field. However, the lack of diverse sources, such as industry experts or union representatives, limits the article's authority.

The story could be strengthened by including data or comments from the 32BJ SEIU union, which represents doormen in New York City. This would provide a more authoritative perspective on the demographics and challenges of the profession. Additionally, expert commentary on the historical and current state of the doorman industry would enhance the article's reliability.

Overall, while the personal accounts are compelling, the article would benefit from a broader range of sources to corroborate statistical claims and provide a more comprehensive view of the industry.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent in its presentation of personal stories and experiences, clearly attributing quotes and anecdotes to the individuals involved. This transparency helps build trust with the reader, as the source of the information is clear and direct.

However, the article lacks transparency regarding the sources of some statistical data and historical context. For example, the claim that women make up 3% of the doorman workforce is not directly attributed to a specific source, such as union records or workforce studies. Providing explicit references for these figures would enhance the article's transparency and credibility.

The article does a good job of disclosing the context and personal experiences of the women featured, but it could improve by providing more detailed sourcing for statistical and historical information.

Sources

  1. https://www.westsiderag.com/2025/03/31/shes-a-contradiction-and-rarity-a-woman-doorman-on-the-upper-west-side
  2. https://workforcedata.nyc.gov/en/data-stories/iwp-and-nyc-comparison
  3. https://www.neilsberg.com/insights/new-york-ny-population-by-gender/
  4. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/newyorkcitynewyork/PST045223
  5. https://www.fox5ny.com/news/best-states-women-2025-where-does-ny-rank