Each year since 1998, thousands of women across the country have celebrated Women in Construction Week (WIC Week), a time for women in construction to “celebrate the power of unity, growth, and inspiration within our industry” according to Kelly Aust, NAWIC President.
This year, WIC Week occurs from March 2-8.
WIC Week celebrates and promotes the role of women in the construction industry. The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) began WIC Week in 1998 and it has grown and expanded each year since its inception. A multitude of events take place onsite throughout the country in addition to virtual Zoom events including Communication Mastery, Strategies for Balancing Career and Caregiving Responsibilities, OSHA Updates, Tradeswomen Celebration and Great-Now What? What Happens After Women in Construction Week.
“This year’s theme, “Together We Rise,” captures the strength we build as a community. Through local events like job site tours, engaging workshops, and school outreach, WIC Week is your chance to celebrate, learn, and make meaningful connections,” explained Kelly Aust, NAWIC President.
The NAWIC Houston Chapter 3 invites the public to join one or ALL of its events celebrating Women in Construction during WIC Week, including:
• March 1: Woodlands Marathon
• March 2: Social Media Sunday
• March 3: C3 Hard Hat Build at TD Industries and a Collaboration Hard Hat Mixer from 4-7pm at The Rustic, 1121 Uptown Park Blvd.
• March 4: Puppy Yoga from 1-4pm at 6700 Ferris St, Suite 100 in Bellaire.
• March 5: IAH jobsite tour
• March 6: WIC Week Fashion Show
• March 7: Construction Career Event
• March 8: Habitat for Humanity Build. One building event will take place in Bayside and one event will take place in Northside.
For more detailed information about various events during WIC Week, go to https://wicweek.org/ or http://www.nawic-houston.org/about-nawic.html.
The Beginning of NAWIC and WIC Week
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) was formed as Women in Construction of Fort Worth, Texas in 1953 by sixteen women working in construction. The organization was created to build a support network for the women working in a male-dominated field. Eventually the group became so successful that it officially became the National Association of Women in Construction, gaining its national charter in 1955.
NAWIC’s core purpose is to “strengthen and amplify the success of women in the construction industry and is committed to championing women to impact the direction of the construction industry”.
“NAWIC provides education, community and advocacy for women”- NAWIC Mission Statement.
NAWIC is still based in Fort Worth but now boasts more than 115 chapters throughout the U.S. that “provide its members with opportunities for professional development education, networking, leadership training, public service and more” according to the Houston NAWIC website.
