Women in Construction Week to be celebrated across the U.S. March 1-7

Women in Construction (WIC) Week will be celebrated March 1-7 by more than 100 chapters of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). WIC Week provides a unified time for more than 5,500 NAWIC members to raise awareness of the opportunities the construction industry holds for potential employees and to highlight women as a visible, growing force in the industry. "Construction presents one of the few growing, well-paying careers in the U.S. that hires from high-school graduates to Ph.D.s," said Dede Hughes, NAWIC executive vice president. "Women can build a career in the construction industry and advance by continuing their education. The emerging trend is women starting their own companies." A broad range of activities will be employed to spread NAWIC members' passion for working in construction. Award banquets, membership drives, community service projects and hands-on workshops will be conducted from coast to coast-all designed to promote construction and the value of women's contributions to the industry. "Women have broken in to the construction industry and have gained depth and influence. In 2007, women accounted for nine percent of construction workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics with women-owned firms seeing a consistent gain year over year," said Julie Lyssy, NAWIC marketing director. To participate in upcoming events with the local chapters, please contact Jennifer Weiss Donova, AIA, Boston Chapter president or Stacy Zannotti, Worcester Chapter president or visit www.nawic.org.