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Highlighting Women in Construction

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“Women are making advancements in this industry but we need to see more women in leadership and mentorship roles to envision a world where equitable practice is the reality.”

Founded by The National Association of Women in Construction, Women in Construction Week takes place during the first full week in March each year as a time to highlight all of the great initiatives and work of women within the industry. Only about 10.9% of women are currently working in construction, and that includes women who work on the front lines of a job site (only 1 in every 100 employees). Women bring a much-needed balance to the workplace as it has been proven that they can manage more effectively. According to The National Bureau of Economic Research, women are more likely to collaborate than men, increasing the likelihood of teamwork within the office.

The construction industry is set to add 400,000 new jobs from now until 2030, and if more women join the profession, companies could be 20% more likely to achieve above-average profitability because of their diversity.

In this post, we will be focusing on a few women who have shattered the glass ceiling and paved the way for all women within construction today.

Elsie de Wolf, actress turned designer, became known as the first female interior designer. She replaced the dark, ornate Victorian décor with lighter, simpler styles and less cluttered room layouts.

HF Planners admires Elsie’s influence in design, as she paved the way for all interior designers to create spaces that reflect bold design choices.

As the first African-American woman to become a registered architect in New York and California, Norma Merrick Sklarek made major accomplishments as a black woman in a male-dominated field. Her two most notable projects were the United States Embassy in Tokyo and the Terminal One station in LA.

HF Planners looks to Norma for her strength and talent in designing beautiful modern buildings while understanding the challenges many women face in the field.

As we reflect on the struggles faced by women in the field who have come before us, HF Planners encourages all women to seek opportunities in construction. We want to break the bias against women in all areas of the industry and capture each women’s strength as we work better together.