March 6-12 is National Women in Construction Week, a time to recognize the work of women in the industry. For Contract Construction, it’s a time to celebrate the all-female project management team that has overseen some of the region’s largest and most notable construction projects. We have been bidding public projects since mid-1980, completing multi-million dollar projects like Segra Park and the University of South Carolina’s recent athletic upgrades.
“At Contract Construction, our focus has and always will be on building top-quality facilities for our clients,” said Greg Hugh, president of the company. “The group of women who lead our projects as managers are proving each and every day that it takes all of us – men and women – to build great facilities and great communities. We are tremendously proud and honored to celebrate them and to celebrate women in construction this week, this month and all year long.”
Led by the National Association of Women in Construction, Women in Construction Week takes place during the first full week in March every year to highlight strides in the profession and the need to attract more women into the field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up just around 10 percent of all people working in construction, and only one in every 100 employees in the field are women.
For women construction professionals like Crystal Queen, the industry offers many benefits and opportunities for females.
“There are a lot of opportunities in this field, especially for women,” said Queen, a 18-year veteran who works as a project manager for Contract Construction. “A lot of women think this is something that they couldn’t do… But if you have a design background or you have an interest in construction it’s definitely a fun place to be.”
Some find their way into the field as a second career option. Project Manager Leericka Miller initially pursued a career in nursing but eventually followed her father into the field she grew up watching him work in. She says young girls should consider the field of construction as a viable option for a long and exciting career.
“Anyone can get into it,” Miller said. “There are areas for all types of people…there’s just that need for anyone who is passionate about it, not just males. It’s been amazing for me. At Contract Construction, the only thing that has held me back is me. As far as I want to go is where I’m going to go. The company is there to support you wherever you want to go, and I’m grateful for their support of women and their support of advancing the industry.”