Author: DCOCF Marketing, March 10th, 2022
Women in Construction Week 2022
HISTORY OF WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION WEEK
The history of Women in Construction Week is linked with that of the National Association of Women in Construction. It was first called Women in Construction of Fort Worth, founded in 1953 by 16 women working in the construction industry. It was created in order to support the few women working in construction at the time.
It later became the National Association of Women in Construction. The association has since gone on to ease the passage of women into construction, helping to create awareness and better working space for those who desire to work in the industry. It has about 115 chapters across the country.
The National Association of Women in Construction “offers its members education, support and networking to help advance their careers in construction, build their technical skills, and become leaders.” Every woman in construction is welcome to join the association.
In 1960, Women in Construction Week was introduced in honor of the association. Through the celebration of women in construction, and the numerous efforts of the association, many more women have taken the bold step to venture into the industry, which is predominantly filled with men.
The stigma around women working in construction has reduced drastically. In addition, the pay gap between men and women is relatively small compared to other industries. These, along with several other feats, are the many achievements of the National Association of Women in Construction.
The association also has an international focus, having several affiliations with countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. The purpose is similar everywhere: “to strengthen and amplify the success of women in the construction industry.”
To learn more about the history behind women in construction week, click here.
Taylor Hicks:
What has been the most memorable moment in your career?
Achieving the “making it easy” award for office support has been the most memorable moment in my career. I was honored to win the award when I really felt like I was just doing my job for my team.
What are some industry trends you have noticed (regarding sustainability, women joining the industry, or the adoption of tech)?
Since COVID-19 I’ve noticed an increase in safety measures in the workplace. This includes updated state regulations, strict safety protocols on the jobsites, and an emphasis on cleanliness in the office. I think this is a positive trend in the industry and will ensure everyone’s safety.
What do you think is the most important change happening in the construction industry?
I think the most important change happening in the construction industry is the adoption of efficient technology. We are becoming more reliant on construction technology to serve our customers better.
Why do you do what you do? What motivates you?
My family will always be my number one motivator. In my home and the workplace, solving problems is something I focus on heavily. I feel good at the end of the day knowing I’ve helped make someone’s life easier.
What would you say to a woman who is thinking of joining the industry in some capacity but isn’t sure she has what it takes?
I would say, you are a woman and that in itself means you have every bit of what it takes to make a difference and gain something in this industry.
Terri Fields
What has been the most memorable moment in your career?
It’s hard to pick out one moment that is the most memorable in 16 years; there have been lots of memorable moments for sure. But I would have to say that being with the company for this long and being a part of it while it has grown from a $13M company to $100M is memorable.
What are some industry trends you have noticed (regarding sustainability, women joining the industry, or the adoption of tech)?
Despite the emergence of COVID-19, the flooring industry is growing and even adapting to the challenges through technology. We’ve had to think outside of the box and implement new safety protocols, communicate through new channels, and forecast to ensure the success of a project. We’re using technology and software that allows us to communicate ideas and information with each other and our customers without everyone being in the same location. Hard to believe we faxed our orders in when I started at DCO!
What do you think is the most important change happening in the construction industry?
I believe technology is an important change happening in our industry. The use of construction management software and even billing software has grown in the last few years. The ability of the software to tackle end-to-end needs, in real-time, from any location or device is huge. As well as the various virtual communication platforms like Teams or Zoom that keep us united despite circumstances.
Why do you do what you do? What motivates you?
Essentially, I love working with numbers and problem-solving. I love logic puzzles and a lot of what we do is like a puzzle. I remember when I first started at DCO (in 2005) and feeling overwhelmed because I knew nothing about the flooring industry. Since then, I’ve worked alongside and with a lot of knowledgeable people who have helped me grow personally and professionally. Working with such talented people and seeing the beautiful and functional spaces we create is rewarding. Who knew so much went into flooring?
What would you say to a woman who is thinking of joining the industry in some capacity but isn’t sure she has what it takes?
I would say – don’t be intimidated! Although there are more men than women working in the industry, there are more and more women joining every day. Whether it’s working on the manufacturing line, installing flooring, estimating, accounting, selling the products, marketing, and even CEOs – there are successful women in all of those roles.
Shudae Coakley
What has been the most memorable moment in your career? Winning a job that I played a role in.
What are some industry trends you have noticed (regarding sustainability, women joining the industry, or the adoption of tech)? An increase of women in this industry. It’s awesome.
What do you think is the most important change happening in the construction industry? As an African American female, it’s important to see diversity, especially in a male dominate industry; so I think it’s amazing to see women, and most importantly, minority women taking over.
Why do you do what you do? What motivates you? It is something that I love! I love seeing the contribution I’ve made to an awesome finish product.
What would you say to a woman who is thinking of joining the industry in some capacity but isn’t sure she has what it takes? The construction industry has different avenues you can take as a career, so honestly try them all. If you find a company that finds value in you and vice versa, they’ll want you to find a niche you’ll love; And in an industry that has challenges doing what you love is key. Oh and make sure it’s something you have a passion for!
Kristal Ortiz:
What has been the most memorable moment in your career?
My first screw up working in construction, I wasn’t paying attention to the selections/specs and all the wrong materials were installed. That was the day I learned to measure two maybe five times before cutting (checking my work at least three times), thought I was going to have a heart attack that day.
What are some industry trends you have noticed (regarding sustainability, women joining the industry, or the adoption of tech)?
The increase in more advanced technology like drones being used for surveying and the construction software is improving with every new update. Women working in construction trades is the highest it’s been but hopefully that number will triple.
What do you think is the most important change happening in the construction industry? New workforce type. In the last few years, a younger generation that’s more comfortable with technology rising quickly.
Why do you do what you do? What motivates you? The lack of diversity in construction. Equal representation in the workforce is important. Women still only make up 10%, African Americans 6.2%, Hispanics 30%, and Asians 2%. I want to be a catalyst for change by being a positive representative and encourage others to join the construction industry. And mentor new to the industry.
What would you say to a woman who is thinking of joining the industry in some capacity but isn’t sure she has what it takes? I would say the construction industry has endless opportunities and never boring. Working in this industry is all about being a problem solver, and women are known to be the best problem solvers so you will be perfect fit for whatever position you take in construction.
Jane Pickett:
What has been the most memorable moment in your career?
While visiting a river dredging site for the Georgia Ports Authority, we would chase the alligators on the Savannah and Broad rivers in a skiff. That was the fun part. The most memorable was visiting the actual port. The best way to describe it is controlled chaos. Traffic flows one way, three lanes in and one way, three lanes out. It’s always busy. And the ships are larger than anyone could imagine. It’s an amazing place to see in person.
What are some industry trends you have noticed (regarding sustainability, women joining the industry, or the adoption of tech)?
The adoption of tech is probably the trend I’ve noticed the most. Each GC we work with has different technology for various needs. Why is this a good thing? It forces those of us working in a sub-trade for multiple GCs to learn and utilize more programs than if we worked for a single GC.
What do you think is the most important change happening in the construction industry?
While still years behind, it’s wonderful to see more women being promoted into leadership and upper management roles in this industry. Beyond the rise of women, the increase in demand for LEED and sustainability is promising. The procurement issues that occurred due to Covid-19 showed how important it is to pursue sustainability, especially recycle and reuse products, and not to rely solely on natural resources to create the materials we need.
Why do you do what you do? What motivates you?
Since I was a child building houses with Legos, construction has always been fascinating to me. After a few years working in a different industry, I finally decided to take the plunge and build a career in construction. Each day my motivation comes via the outcome of every project in which I’ve ever been involved. While not always able to see the work in person, whenever an opportunity presents itself to see the finished product it provides a bit of pride that I was a part of the process.
What would you say to a woman who is thinking of joining the industry in some capacity but isn’t sure she has what it takes?
That they need to not be scared and to go for it. There are so many different options in construction as a career they are bound to find their niche. Also, don’t be afraid of taking a chance in a field that you were not certain you’d like. While I never saw myself working in the realm of the single-family home, I always figured I’d be involved in healthcare related jobs as that was my past career and I understood the functioning of those buildings. What I’ve learned by taking chances is that I enjoy industrial and civil projects quite a bit more.
To read our latest blog post, click here.
To read more about women in construction week, and it’s history, click here.
About the firm: DCO Commercial Floors is a nationwide flooring dealer that is committed to being a flooring solutions leader for all finishes, bridging the gap between traditional floor covering and modern access flooring solutions. We provide comprehensive project management so that your project is smooth from the estimating stages to breaking down the bid, and procurement, from install to closeout. DCO will provide and deliver on all facets to become the partner of choice for your project.