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Women in the Construction Industry
by Mirko Vasco
http://www.fieldconstruction.com
"The voice of women in construction" is the motto of one of
the strongest associations for female construction workers
called NAWIC (National Association of Women in
Construction). They are using their voice through places
such as their 8th annual conference in Forth Worth, Texas
(March 6-12, 2005) to share the message about the need for
workers in this industry. An estimated 250,000 new
construction jobs will need to be filled over the next 4
years. NAWIC is hoping to get the message loud and clear
that this industry is in need of a few good men and women.
In a time when construction jobs went mostly to men, a group
of fifteen women from Fort Worth, Texas bonded together and
formed "The Women in Construction". In this post-WWII era
of 1953, their leader Doris Efird was quite innovative.
Their approach matched one member's statement "We were women
with electricity in our veins, cement on our shoes, sawdust
on our minds". Not long after, the group expanded
nationally and their name changed to The National
Association of Women in Construction on May 17, 1955.
The membership of NAWIC continues to expand today. Over
5,500 women construction workers in 185 chapters throughout
the U.S. and 2 chapters in Canada now belong to this
association. Affiliated agreements were recently signed by
NAWIC to start similar programs in New Zealand, Great
Britain and South Africa.
Several foundations and programs set up by original members
of NAWIC are still in full force today. For example, the
Founder's Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships to
students in the study of construction-related careers. This
foundation has awarded over $11 million since its humble
beginnings in 1961. Also, some of NAWIC's more recognized
initiatives are its national magazine, founded in 1969, and
its education foundation for children and students, started
in 1972. The education program encourages any student to
pursue career opportunities in construction by achieving
certification at Clemson University.
The objectives of NAWIC, as listed below, are quite clear
and progressive:
- -~"To unite for the mutual benefit of the
women who are actively engaged in the various phases
of the construction industry."
- -~"To promote education and contribute to the
betterment of the construction industry."
- -~"To encourage women to pursue and establish
careers in the construction industry.'
- -~"To provide members an awareness of the
legislative process and legislation as it relates to
the construction industry."
At the annual conference, the NAWIC awards recognize the
achievements of both women in construction and those
non-members who support the NAWIC objectives. This is the
eleventh year for the Crystal Vision and Crystal Achievement
awards. NAWIC started out as a support system for a small
number of local women and has grown into an national group
with international affiliations. Perhaps the group is
correct in calling itself "the voice of women in
construction."
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