Women in Construction: More Than Just a Week

Every year, Women in Construction Week increases the visibility of the incredible women shaping our industry. It’s a time to celebrate progress, share stories, and highlight the work being done to create a more inclusive field. But as the week ends, I find myself thinking: this work doesn’t stop after seven days.

A Workforce Gap—and a Solution

The construction industry is facing a massive workforce shortage, yet there is an untapped pool of talent: women. The opportunity is right in front of us. Women are ready and willing to work, to be trained, and to build careers in construction—but we need to actively attract, retain, and develop them.

The Power of Support and Advocacy

When I started my career over 30 years ago, women supporting other women in construction were rare. If you were lucky enough to find a female mentor or advocate, you held onto her tightly and tried to extract every bit of knowledge and encouragement she offered.

Today, I’m grateful to see more advocates—both men and women—championing the next generation of leaders. But we must keep pushing forward. We need to ask ourselves:

• How do we attract more women (and men) into construction?
• How do we retain them in an industry that can be tough?
• How do we empower them to grow into leadership roles?

Supporting Each Other: Be the Solution, Not the Barrier

Women in construction already face enough challenges—we don’t need to add to them by tearing each other down. For too long, opportunities for women in this industry were scarce, and competition felt like survival. But times have changed, and we need to change with them.

Instead of seeing each other as competitors, let’s see each other as allies. Let’s lift each other, support one another’s growth, and show grace when mistakes happen. No one succeeds alone, and true progress comes when we create an environment where all women feel valued, encouraged, and empowered.

I challenge every woman in this field to ask:

• Am I helping build the path forward for other women?
• Am I offering support, mentorship, and encouragement?
• Am I part of the solution?

Together, we can change this industry—not just for ourselves, but for the next generation. Let’s make sure the young women entering construction see us as mentors, not obstacles. Because when one of us rises, we all rise.

Why I Keep Going

Some days, I want to give up. This work isn’t easy. There are moments when we face resistance or “performative” support—the kind that sounds good on the surface but doesn’t lead to real change. But then I think about the future.

I think about my daughters and my granddaughter.

I want them to enter a workforce that sees their potential, that values their contributions, and that gives them a fair shot at success. I want them to be part of an industry that recognizes the strength, skill, and intelligence women bring to construction.

A Company That Gets It

I’m honored to work for a company that supports women—not just in words, but in action. From leadership training to advocacy, they are helping create a path for women to thrive in this industry. Having strong women by my side has also been a game-changer. This work is hard, but with the right support system, we can navigate the tough questions and keep moving forward.

This Is Just the Beginning

There is so much more to say about building an industry that is inclusive, thriving, and future-focused.

I want to leave you with this question:

What are you doing today to create opportunities for the next generation in construction?

Let’s keep the conversation going. Let’s keep pushing forward. Because the future of construction depends on it.