Tradeswomen Committee

Mission and Goals

  • To encourage, empower, and support women in the construction trades to feel more confident in their roles by providing educational resources for challenges and opportunities specific to women in the field.
  • To recruit tradeswomen to help them feel more included and supported by other women within the industry by holding webinars for educational opportunities, virtual informal social gatherings, and in-person events at conferences while focusing on empowering women in construction.

Committee Chair

Della Ray
Alpha Duo LLC
tradeswomen@nawic.org

Committee Co-Chair

Krystle Schnell

Current Projects or Initiatives:

“Day in the Life of Tradeswomen” will be available WIC Week 2025!

Committee Achievements:

The National Tradeswomen Committee has only been established for two years. As one of the newest NAWIC national committees the committee has successfully raised awareness of the contributions of women in the construction industry through various initiatives, such as social media campaigns, webinars, and speaking engagements.

Committee Goals:

While the committee has made substantial progress in a short period, it is essential to continue building upon its achievements and expanding its reach. This includes:

  • Strengthening existing programs: The committee should focus on enhancing its mentorship programs, educational resources, and support networks to provide even greater value to tradeswomen.
  • Expanding outreach: The committee should seek to reach a wider audience of tradeswomen, including those from underrepresented groups.
  • Building stronger partnerships: The committee should cultivate deeper relationships with industry partners to create more opportunities for tradeswomen.
  • Measuring impact: The committee should track its progress and measure the impact of its initiatives to ensure that it is effectively achieving its goals.
  • Staying informed: The committee should stay up-to-date on industry trends, regulations, and best practices to remain relevant and effective.

By continuing to focus on these areas, the National Tradeswomen Committee can solidify its position as a leading advocate for women in the trades and make a lasting impact on the industry.

Committee Member Responsibilities:

As a committee member, your primary role is to advocate for and support women in the trades. This involves a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to:

  • Advocacy: Promoting the value and contributions of women in the construction industry, both within the association and to the public.
  • Mentorship/Sponsorship: Providing guidance and support to aspiring and current tradeswomen, helping them navigate challenges and achieve their career goals. A mentor provides guidance and support, while a sponsor advocates for and promotes an individual’s career advancement. While both roles are important, they often work together to help individuals achieve their goals. A mentor can provide the guidance and support needed to develop skills, while a sponsor can open doors and create opportunities for advancement.
  • Education: Organizing and participating in educational programs and workshops to enhance the skills and knowledge of tradeswomen.
  • Networking: Building relationships with other professionals in the construction industry to create opportunities for collaboration and advancement.
  • Community Outreach: Engaging with local communities to raise awareness of the trades as viable career paths for women.
  • Policy Development: Contributing to the development of policies and initiatives that support gender equality and equity in the construction industry.
  • Event Planning and Participation: Helping to organize and participate in conferences, workshops, and other events related to the trades.

In essence, your role as a committee member is to be a champion for women in the trades, driving positive change and ensuring that women have equal opportunities to succeed in the construction industry.

Don’t forget to VOTE for the National Association of Women in Construction Tradeswoman of the Year 2025!!

Tradeswomen Committee Photo 2024
Meeting Schedule:

Members are welcome to join the monthly webinar hosted typically on the first Thursday of each month (excluding holidays & the month of December) at 4:30 pm CST.

Non-members have the opportunity to also join two scheduled webinars throughout the year.

Accepting New Members:

New members are ALWAYS welcomed!

Skills or Expertise Needed:

The Tradeswomen Committee would benefit greatly from members with a diverse range of skills and expertise. Whether you currently work in the field and on your tools or you used to – YOU ARE A TRADESWOMAN – and your experiences and knowledge may help make a difference for another woman.

Eligibility Criteria:

Whether you are a tradeswoman now, used to work in the field, are aspiring to become a tradeswoman, or you want to support tradeswomen – this committee welcomes you.

How to Get Involved:

Interested in joining or supporting the National  Tradeswomen Committee? You can register through the national website for the monthly Tradeswomen Committee Webinars. You can also contact the national office for more information.