The United States Congress has acknowledged March as Women’s History Month for nearly 40 years now—a move that’s been regularly backed by presidential proclamation since 1995, according to WomensHistoryMonth.gov. This year, any such proclamation has yet to occur, but that hasn’t stopped groups and organizations from continuing to celebrate the contributions of women to society, reports the news outlet Today.
Given the longevity of the recognition, there is history behind it. International Women’s Day got its start in 1911, leading to Women’s History Week in the U.S. 70 years later.
The month-long appreciation allows specific groups and associations a chance to spread the wealth, so to speak, and choose different weeks or days to spotlight women. The construction industry has opted to stick with the original week of observance, declaring the first week of March “Women in Construction Week.” (This week, March 2-8, for anyone following along at home).
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has been cultivating its Women in Construction (WIC) Week activities since 1998, according to the group’s website. The organization has local chapters that host events within communities, but the national chapter also offers online presentations, discussions, and motivational speakers to energize women who are in, or may be looking to enter, the construction industry.
The idea—or actuality—of celebrating women in the construction industry isn’t limited to associations such as the NAWIC. There are many companies with leadership that believes in showing appreciation of the women in their workforces.
The Home Depot Foundation, which was established to give back while promoting the trades, offers the Path to Pro program. The philanthropic arm of The Home Depot posted a video on its website, showing how access by women to trades work is affected by the programs and scholarships offered.
Woodgrain has women in the spotlight with a section of the company website dedicated to women in the industry. Officials use the space to highlight the work of different women in the company. The most recent update showcases Tina Lynch, Kitty Palmer Ratcliffe, Leah L. Nilles, Melissa Stubbs, and Nicole Dancy.
And 84 Lumber, owned by Maggie Hardy, is a certified national women’s business enterprise. In a press release issued at the beginning of the week, 84 Lumber highlighted the contributions of three specific women in the construction industry, two of whom have long connections to the company.
Wendy Odom has been with 84 Lumber for 22 years of her 35 years in the construction industry.
“84 Lumber has given me the tools to grow, and in turn, I’ve been able to teach others, helping them gain confidence to better their futures,” Odom said.
Odom believes women bring unique strengths to the industry, including problem-solving skills, multitasking, and the ability to collaborate with others, helping her to successfully lead a team, company officials said in the press release. She encourages women to enter the field with an open mind, ready to learn and grow.
“This industry builds integrity, strength, and confidence,” she said. “It’s challenging but also there’s room for growth. For me, it’s working with great people. My salespeople and management have always allowed me to grow and learn everything possible in this industry. Together we built an awesome place to work. I now have an office of four women, who together with their talents and knowledge have helped build the success of 84 Lumber at this location.”
Jessica Ryan has been in the trades for 25 years, 11 of them specializing in insulation. She started working in construction as a teenager, learning how to handle and read blueprints and developing hands-on skills.
Today, she owns Thermally Yours Inc., leading a team of installers and taking pride in her role as an employer and as someone who built her own business.
“I came from nothing and was given no handouts and worked very hard to prove and establish myself, but I am most proud of my staff. My crew of installers make me so proud every day. They are kind and hardworking, and experts in our field,” Ryan said. “My crew motivates me every day. There is an intimacy in being an employer—knowing you are responsible for the livelihoods of your employees’ families.”
Ryan also acknowledges that there’s still some bias to overcome for women in the industry.
“The construction industry has historically been male-dominated, though that’s slowly changing,” she said. “The preconceived notions and biases regarding a woman’s ability in this field may still be present in some workplaces. I had to work extra hard to prove my skills and ability.”
Ryan feels knowledge is the best defense against these attitudes.
“Whether it’s through self-directed learning, certification programs, or formal education, the goal is to be prepared to discuss your chosen trade confidently,” she said. “You want to show you’ve done your homework and that you are serious about your trade.”
While women in construction may continue to face biases, they also have some advantages. “Companies want different perspectives, and women often bring superior organizational and decision-making skills,” said Ryan. Her advice to women entering the trades: “Be assertive, ask questions, and do not back down. There is so much opportunity and money to be made in this field!”
Eight years ago, Malori Raison entered the construction industry by responding to a job posting for an administrative role. Getting in on the ground floor of the then-new plant, Raison had little knowledge of the field but had plenty of curiosity and determination.
Essentially growing with the plant, Raison is now the customer service manager of 84 Lumber Franklin Components, in Franklin, Indiana, where company officials said she’s built the current system from the ground up.
“Customer service is the first stop for most requests that come into the plant. I wanted to be the first and only step in time-sensitive situations where I could,” said Raison. “People hear customer service manager and a specific image of the day-to-day job pops into their head.”
As Raison explains, she has extensive knowledge of the industry and literally wrote the book on operational efficiency.
“Many women enjoy getting their hands dirty and building things—companies need to give them the chance to prove themselves,” she said.
She encourages other women to enter construction with a willingness to learn and with a tough exterior, knowing that the challenges are worth the rewards.