Written By: Jessica Vargas, Project Architect & LEED AP (Portage, IN)
NAWIC Northwest Indiana Chapter #311 Member
Holladay Properties is joining the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) in celebrating it’s annual Women in Construction Week to highlight women as a visible component of the construction industry and enhance the success of women in the construction industry.
NAWIC’s celebrates Women in Construction (WIC) Week the week of March 8 (International Women’s Day) each year, which recognizes all women in the construction industry. The focus of WIC Week is to highlight women as a visible component of the construction industry and to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the construction industry, as well as emphasize the growing role of women in the industry. It is also a time for the thousands of members across the country in local chapters to give back to their communities.
“While there are more than one million women employed in the construction industry, women only comprise approximately ten percent of the construction workforce. These women, whether they are administrative specialists, general contractors, subcontractors, trades people, or professionals, are vital elements to the construction process.”
– Sandy Field, past president of NAWIC
On a National and Regional level, NAWIC promotes WIC week in various media outlets, via press releases, radio and TV spots, websites, and social media. It is also encouraged for Regional and local Chapters to get proclamations from State and local municipalities. This year, the North Central Region obtained Proclamations from the governors of all the states that make up our region, which include Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, West Virginia, and parts of Pennsylvania. These State Proclamations recognize WIC Week and all the women who contribute to the construction industry and promote a positive vision of the future of the industry itself. The North Central Region also celebrates chapter participation of WIC Week at their Annual Forum through recognition at the luncheon awards portion of the event.
“‘Women in Construction Week’ is simply a time set aside to thank those women for all their efforts toward successful construction projects. WIC Week will also bring attention to the industry and encourage others to realize that construction is a viable, profitable career field.”
– Sandy Field
On a Chapter level, The Northwest Indiana Chapter of NAWIC has a variety of events that are promoted for both chapter involvement as well as other Northwest Indiana women in our local construction industry. During WIC week each year, our chapter also looks to give back to the community in some way.
ABOUT NAWIC
The 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. Consider becoming a member of NAWIC, click here to discover the value of a NAWIC membership.
The Northwest Indiana Chapter, which includes Lake, Porter, and La Porte counties, was chartered in 1985 and has maintained a presence in the local construction industry. It strives to provide its members with educational and professional development opportunities, as well as providing the community with opportunities to learn more about the construction industry through programs like “Block Kids”, a building block competition for kids in K-6 grades. The chapter also sponsors a scholarship for college or apprenticeship students enrolled in a construction degree program or construction trade.