Celebrating Women In Construction Week Through Celebration and Reflection
Women have been challenging gender roles in construction since the turn of the 19th century. From the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, to Hearst Castle in California, women in the construction industry have left their mark on monumental projects and opened the door wider for future generations of women to follow.
In recognition of Women In Construction week, The Weitz Company has spent the last several days reflecting on the many contributions women have made to our industry and pausing to recognize the women working across our projects daily as they strive to Build a Better Way.
Below are some highlights from WIC week at The Weitz Company:
Speakers
Several of our offices and jobsites hosted speakers to highlight women in our company and discuss topics facing women across the industry. Topics ranged from safety in construction, their career paths as women in the industry, diversity, and wellness. At one Mission Critical jobsite in Des Moines, Iowa, three women spoke about their experiences to dozens of workers during morning stretch and flex. At our corporate office, Maria Matamoros, Vice President of Risk Management, shared stories from her career path that led to her current leadership role today.
Laura Eathorne, General Manager of the Rocky Mountain office, spoke on a panel at Associated General Contractors Colorado’s Women in Construction Kick-off Event. She joined a panel with 6 other industry leaders to share lessons learned, opportunities for growth, and how to best support women in the industry.
Intentional Conversations
Some jobsites and offices chose to host opportunities to have intentional conversations on a variety of topics relating to women’s experiences in construction. Our headquarters office in Des Moines, Iowa, brought in women from across the company, at all levels, to have an open discussion about their experiences.
Site Walks
Many team members participated in site walks on our jobsites to recognize women in the field and show support for the hard work happening across our projects. Our Southwest team visited our data center site to pass our small appreciation gifts to the women working on the jobsite during their site walk. While our Rocky Mountain team brought their women on a site tour to learn, connect, and celebrate all the hard work that went in on a nearly completed project.
Spotlights
Many of our teams used this week as an opportunity to spotlight and thank the women on their teams. Our federal team took this even a step further and highlighted the men with daughters in the office, showing how construction can reach so many women beyond our jobsites and offices.
Women make up more than 49% of the population and just over 10% of our industry. Though few and growing in number, their contributions to advancing our industry have been significant. While WIC week is just once a year, Weitz strives to build a company where women are welcomed and celebrated every day.
