Online Old Line State Summit Session
According to the Department of Labor, construction is a “nontraditional” career field for women because women account for fewer than 25% of the registered workforce. The term “nontraditional”, however, implies that women did not and do not traditionally participate in construction work. This is inaccurate. This misconception erases women’s contribution to historic structures and is a disservice to present-day women working in building trades. This webinar delves into women’s roles in construction, historically and today.
Watch the full recorded webinar here:
Webinar Speakers:
- Shelley E. Roff, Ph.D., Associate Professor, College of Architecture, Construction and Planning, University of Texas at San Antonio
- Lisa Sasser, Principal, Quid Tum Historic Structures Consulting
- Amy McAuley, Oculus Fine Carpentry, Preservation Joiner – George Washington’s Mount Vernon
A list of resources compiled by Lisa Sasser for women in construction & the traditional trades can be found below:
General Resources
Fine Homebuilding Resources for Women in Construction #KeepCraftAlive
Fine Homebuilding Breaking Down Gender Bias in the Construction Industry #KeepCraftAlive
Women in Preservation Symposium | April 5-7, 2021 | Virtual | The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America and the Smithsonian Institution present a three-day celebration of women and their pivotal role in American preservation.
Women’s Organizations
National Association of Women in Construction
NAWIC originally began as Women in Construction of Fort Worth, Texas. Sixteen women working in the construction industry founded it in 1953. Knowing that women represented only a small fraction of the construction industry, the founders organized NAWIC to create a support network. Women in Construction of Fort Worth was so successful that it gained its national charter in 1955 and became the National Association of Women in Construction. Today, NAWIC provides its members with opportunities for professional development, education, networking, leadership training, public service and more.
National Association of Professional Women in Construction
PWC is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1980 that seeks to support, advance, and connect women and promote diversity within the architecture, engineering, construction, and related industries.
Women Construction Owners & Executives USA
Women Construction Owners & Executives USA is committed to making a positive difference for women in the construction industry so there will come a time when gender will cease to be a business issue.
NAHB Professional Women in Building Council
The NAHB Professional Women in Building Council represents thousands of members throughout the United States and serves as the voice of women in the building industry.
Women in Construction Operations
WiOPS is committed to the advancement of women in construction operation positions and mentoring of future women leaders in our industry. Through mentorships, education, and networking, we are dedicated to establishing a platform to share our goals and explore solutions to the unique challenges women encounter. WiOPS promotes hard work, commitment and integrity to maintain a professional network of construction leaders today and tomorrow.
Women Builders Council
Established in 2004, WBC is the leading association representing women in the construction industry on several important fronts: legislative advocacy, new business and professional development with a special focus on leadership.
National Association of Black Women in Construction
NABWIC is a Florida-based, not-for-profit organization, formed in 1991 to address the unique challenges of black women in the construction industry. Its mission is to champion and empower women in the construction and related industries to reach their full potential and to represent the voice of black women in construction in both government and industry arenas.
Canadian Association of Women in Construction
CAWIC’s mandate is to facilitate the long-term success of women in Canada’s construction-related fields such as general contracting, trades, building products, architecture, engineering, interior design, and professional services. To accomplish this, CAWIC is in process of developing and implementing a variety of programs and services for women in construction-related fields.
Social Media Groups for Women in Construction
- Move Over Bob
- Women in Steel Toes
- Women in Restoration & Engineering
- Tradeswomen Sisterhood
- Tradeswomen Archives
- Policy Group on Tradeswomen’s Issues
- Build Together: Women of the Building Trades
- Dykes with Drills
- Women in Preservation
- Framing Women: A timber frame & log building discussion group for “girls”
Traditional Trades
Training Programs and Advocacy Groups
- Association for Preservation Technology International
- Campaign for Historic Trades
- Columbus Landmarks Window Warriors Program
- Cornerstones Community Partnerships
- HistoriCorps
- HOPE Crew
- National Park Service Historic Preservation Training Center
- National Park Service National Center for Preservation Technology and Training National Park Service
- Traditional Trades Apprenticeship Program
- National Park Service Western Center for Historic Preservation
- Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation CorpsPreservation Trades Network
- Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage – Building Arts & Traditional Architecture
Academic Programs
- American College of the Building Arts (South Carolina) Belmont College (Ohio)
- Bryn Athyn College (Pennsylvania)
- Clatsop Community College (Oregon)
- Edgecombe Community College (North Carolina)
- North Bennet Street School (Massachusetts)
- Savannah Technical College (Georgia)
- Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (Pennsylvania)