Women’s History Month

Women in History Month honors and celebrates the struggles and achievements of American women throughout the history of the United States. American women have struggled throughout our history to gain rights not simply for themselves but for many other under represented groups in America.

Professional Women in Construction

As we go about our way along the city streets and avenues, looking for the fastest route to our destination, most of us are somehow able to tune out the construction sites that surrounds us. The hammer drill, jackhammers, and the cranes – the list goes on and on. We’re usually too busy to be bothered with the question of who is operating these machines, or who is behind the business end of these massive projects. Would it ever enter your minds that it might as well be a woman climbing A scaffold or out in the field supervising a job site? Usually not!  Typically, women in construction would only be found answering the telephone in the front office.  However, you might find someone you didn’t expect performing a job not often associated with them.

There has never been a better time to be a woman in construction. Many traditional barriers are falling, leaving more opportunities for women. As older generations leave the work force, more women are gaining leadership positions in many industries. And men who are coming up in the business world are typically less sexist than those of previous generations.

Some Facts About Non-Traditional Employment for Women

• The U.S. Department of Labor defines a non-traditional occupation for women as one in which less than 25% of those employed in the field are women.

• According to U.S. Department of Labor statistics in 2007 the median weekly earnings of women who worked full-time were only 80% of men’s weekly earnings.

• Women are under-represented in many occupations, including those in the trades, technology and science fields, which typically pay well.

• Women employed in non-traditional jobs earn higher wages than women employed in traditionally female occupations.

If you are a woman hesitating to seek a desired career in a traditionally male-dominated company, know that the current status is in your favor.

Management is starting to recognize that women can perform as well as men and that women bring qualities to the table that men often lack. In addition, many male-dominated companies are actively looking to hire women because of pressure to become more diverse.  But remember that many traditions die and that prejudices tend to linger in many industries and companies. Only if more women enter these fields will lasting change occur.

Additional Resources for Women Interested in Non-Traditional Careers

Here are additional resources to help you learn more about non-traditional careers for women. Many are from the Women’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor, and present statistical information.

National Association of Women in Construction: “NAWIC is an international association that promotes and supports the advancement and employment of women in the construction industry.”

Work4Women: This project from Wider Opportunities for Women, or WOW, helps women and girls explore nontraditional jobs, find training programs and support systems to help existing women workers remain in the male-dominated fields.

Nontraditional Employment for Women: NEW is a New York City based organization that provides “occupational skills and fitness training, job readiness, counseling and case management, and job placement services in occupations in which women are underrepresented.”

PWC: Professional Women In Construction was Founded in 1980, PWC is a national organization committed to advancing professional, entrepreneurial and managerial opportunities for women and other “non-traditional” populations in construction and related industries.

I wanted to feel the pulse of women in the industry in both the field and office environment. I asked Suzie Ellos of teamster local #174 and Tara Rash our in house Professional Engineer.

Here is what we came up with:

JC ) What made you decide to get into the construction industry?

SE) Grew up a tomboy.  Went to Diesel Truck Mechanic school.  Graduated only to hear  we don’t want women turning wrenches because we don’t trust our guys to NOT sabotage your work .  I started driving long haul instead.  I had a boss that had a construction (dirt hauling) company along side his freight hauling.  He asked if I could help him out- he needed me in town to drive a dump truck.  I said yes.  5 years of long haul and 21 years and counting dump truck driving.  I love driving.

TR ) Math & science are my strong suits and I ve always been fascinated with building construction & figuring out how things work  so I decided to pursue a degree in Structural Engineering in college.  No regrets whatsoever!

(JC ) What challenges do you normally find being in a women in the construction industry?

SE )Men thinking I was given my job through acts of fornication. 2. Men being insecure. 3. Some jobs the porta potty is not close to where the truck drivers are.

TR ) I think the biggest challenge is just being able to prove that Im intelligent and capable of getting the job done but I wouldn’t say that is limited to just being female (that goes for all engineers!).  Occasionally I’ll come across an old stickler who feels that female has no place being an engineer, but it’s becoming more and more rare.

(JC ) Is feminism an issue?

SE ) Every time I pull on the job, I get watched to see if I screw up.

TR ) In my opinion, no.

(JC ) is Sexual Harassment an issue?

SE )I have been sexually harassed on the job by co-workers.  Once I went to the union- they accused me of causing it. I am not gorgeous, just a tomboy doing my job. Union dropped the ball.

TR ) Not as much as it used to be, when I started out in the construction industry 10 years ago, it was nearly impossible to walk around a site without being harassed.  It feels like it’s a lot more accepted now (a female on site),most times the construction workers are actually quite accommodating.

(JC )  What positive changes can you say have occurred for women if we were to compare today to 10 years ago?

SE ) Still a lot of the good ole boy system. If not for date of hire language in contract, crappy men drivers would be dispatched ahead of me.

TR ) Just the simple fact that it’s a lot more acceptable for women to be involved in engineering/construction is a positive change.  But what is even more important is that women are now climbing the ranks in the industry and it is providing great exposure and respect for intelligent driven women everywhere. This also provides great exposure for companies who employ these women!  It’s a win-win situation.

(JC )  What advice do you have for a woman thinking about joining the construction field?

SE ) Believe in yourself.  Stand your ground.  You belong here as much as the one standing next to you.  Stand by your values.

BEING RIGHT ISN ‘T ALWAYS POPULAR, BEING POPULAR ISN’T ALWAYS RIGHT

TR ) Follow your dreams!  I have zero regrets about joining the construction industry, I love my job & I love what I do. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

There you have it, I would like to thank both these wonderful women for there participation in my little experiment. It seems that the field positions still haven’t been accepted as much as the in house positions. The strength and vision of both these women will help all women in all fields receive the same respect that we all deserve.