It is likely the case that you have heard of Women’s History Month. However, you might not know that Women in Construction Week is the first full week in March. It provides the time to celebrate the achievements of women remodelers and home builders in Texas and the country at large. There are many women who have boldly stepped into the construction industry and made a real difference within their communities. They continue to encourage those around them to make similar moves. Although the stigma around women in construction has reduced through the years, they often don’t get the credit they deserve. So, let’s explore their opportunities and initiatives.
The Importance of Breaking Free from Stereotypes
As a society, we tend to view certain jobs as “men’s work.” One of these professions is construction. And, unfortunately, despite there being a lot of women-owned construction companies across Texas, they don’t get talked about nearly enough. In such a male-dominated space, it can be difficult to make a name for yourself. When we look at the nation as a whole, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that women make up only about 11% of the construction workforce. Yet, as of 2017 in Texas, women accounted for 21% of all jobs in the construction of buildings. Among careers in the industry, they held the highest number of jobs as specialty trade contractors. Both the number of total jobs and average earnings have continued to drastically rise through the decades.
Building Trust as a Woman Home Builder in Texas
Although trust has to be earned, developing working relationships can be a challenge for a woman in construction. Women need to prove themselves much more than their male counterparts. This is simply the nature of the beast. But every year, women are breaking boundaries and demanding respect for their high-quality work ethic. As a home builder in Texas of any gender, in order to gain trust, it is important to be your true self. We encourage you to be genuine in your values. Homeowners and other workers will recognize your character.
How to Recruit Other Women into the Industry
As we pave a new road for construction, we need to empower other women. Part of this comes from mentorship. Mentorship in construction involves pairing newcomers with established professionals. It is more about experience rather than age. Women need to be able to comfortably ask questions to and work alongside their mentors. If you are a woman that is interested in going into the AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) industry, also take the time to look for scholarships online. There are many available for female students in both undergraduate and graduate programs.
National Association of Women in Construction
Female home builders in Texas and beyond deserve to have a space where they can come together. Learning, supporting, and networking are the three pillars of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). This organization provides the opportunity for career advancements to grow industry leaders. There are currently chapters in 47 states that regularly hold meetings and host events throughout the year. The women behind these chapters even sponsor educational programs for women in construction, focusing on technical, management, and leadership skills. Across the board, NAWIC offers a space for promoting motivation.
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Influential and Innovative Women in Engineering
In today’s age, women can take on any job they set their minds to. This ranges from becoming an equipment operator to an electrician to a home builder in Texas. We have gathered some information on three women who made history in the field of engineering to show their impact on the AEC industry.
Emily Roebling (1843-1903)
There are so many notable landmarks across the United States. One of them is the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. Emily Roebling’s husband had been assigned as the chief engineer for the construction. However, when he fell ill and was confined to his bed, Roebling stepped up. Having developed extensive knowledge during the initial process, she was well-equipped to take over his chief engineer duties. Every day, she could be seen going onsite to relay instructions and answer questions from the construction workers. For 11 years, she supervised the project, learning about the strength of materials, cable construction, and stress analysis. When the Brooklyn Bridge was officially completed in 1883, a plaque was created in both her and her husband’s honor.
Lillian Gilbreth (1878-1972)
For over four decades, Lillian Gilbreth made her career combining psychology, engineering, and scientific management. She and her husband were equal partners in their consulting firm that focused on exactly this. Among their contributions to engineering, they became pioneers of ergonomics, which is the study of people in their working environment. Their focus was largely on developing innovations to make the workplace more efficient, adding a more human element to science. With improved lighting, regular breaks, and suggestion boxes, the Gilbreths were sure that workspaces could become more employee-friendly. Even after his passing, Gilbreth headed their company. Their work is something that businesses—and home builders in Texas, for that matter—consider in designing their buildings to this day.
Elsie Eaves (1898-1983)
As a proud owner of a civil engineering degree, Elsie Eaves would go on to earn her spot among the pioneers of American female engineering. She worked at the United States Bureau of Public Roads, and then the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Company. Throughout her career, she was a member of the Women’s Engineering Society. At the time, it was the only organization in the world for female engineers. Where Eaves really made waves was when she was admitted as the first woman with full membership to the American Society of Civil Engineers. Over five decades later, Eaves would also become the first woman to receive a lifetime membership to the American Association of Cost Engineers. Throughout this time, she was known to be contacted by high school counselors and university professors who were interested in getting advice for female students going into engineering.
Must Watch: Bread Loaf Corporation's Documentary
The Bread Loaf Corporation is made up of a team of architects, planners, and builders. Its team of over 70 professionals offers services around the Middlebury, Vermont area. In 2021, they put out a short documentary highlighting women in construction. It specifically focused on the crew members working on Bread Loaf’s New Avenue renovation project in St. Johnsbury. The goal behind this video was to inspire more women to get into the field.
The Director of Safety & Training, Ryan Ahern, noted that 30% of the people who applied to this St. Johnsbury project were women. He stated that they hired for attitude and work ethic, knowing that they would be capable of teaching anything else that needed to be taught. Each female worker discussed her experience with the project. They touched on what the building once looked like versus what it was able to become, expressing how impressed they were in both regards. Some pointed out their appreciation for the challenge, while others emphasized the purpose and creativity that comes with building.