FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Payton Sears, Marketing and Communications Lead
paytons@nawic.org
Construction professional, business owner, industry association leader and more:
Rita Brown talks and walks toughness.
June 20, 2025, – The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
For Rita Brown, running her own steel detailing and business consulting company wasn’t enough. Serving as a Governor-appointed, State of Michigan Transportation Commissioner wasn’t enough. Fighting for women’s rights as the president of the Michigan NOW state leadership wasn’t enough. In fact, she does all that, serves on several university and industry advisory boards, leads the BUILD INITIATIVE/BUILDING IMPACT, an organization that provides exposure opportunities for women to be stronger, faster, smarter in their career advancement choices and options, as well as providing programs across the country for tradeswomen to gather and reinforce community; all of which builds a stronger future for those who come after her. And that’s a typical Tuesday.
She brings all that experience, commitment and drive as the president-elect for NAWIC, the National Association of Women in Construction. NAWIC has more than 6,000 members dedicated to advancing women in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Does that make Rita a tough professional woman or is there more to it? “Well,” she says, “giving birth five times certainly is a level of tough that is unequalled. However, a woman in any gendered industry, who does not succumb to death by a thousand cuts, should be recognized for being the very essence of tough. We are here to work and thrive. That’s all. And that’s everything.”
Rita’s family emigrated to Detroit when she was a child, and she remembers the unyielding expectation of hard work and education. “We are the typical achievement-focused immigrant family. As a family my student parents were taking big swings and loading up on grit and determination, all on the bootstrap principle of building a future in this country by sheer determination, sacrifice and preparedness.”
She has used this ingrained toughness to overcome some of the biggest challenges of her construction career. She points to the financial crash of 2008 as one example. “The collapse had reverberations for years. Building back after that was an extreme that I never anticipated. Personally and professionally the world was at a standstill. Little did we know it was a prelude to the consequences of COVID. But talk about tough. It is precisely having had those experiences that gives that extra “bite me” energy that I don’t deny anymore.”
“There are always pivotal moments. I’ve never thought ‘I can’t,’ but have often found myself weighing the benefits, opportunities, and costs. When you are a woman in this society, it’s a challenge; add to that the weight of ethnicity and bias, and there are some who can’t, or won’t, accept your expertise, acumen, and abilities. They simply won’t”
Rita has been a member of NAWIC since 2006, first joined the NAWIC national Board in 2016, and will assume the lead role in August. She credits her experiences with NAWIC for helping her learn to take on tough challenges and embrace them as opportunity. “NAWIC has been the catalyst for some of my greatest development. People lament the pain of challenges. The reality is, it is in those moments of challenge that one has the privilege of reflection and in that moment, decide who they are and what the value of character is in their lives. I place a high value on character, clarity of purpose, authenticity and ultimate success outcomes.”
With her significant resume does she have more she wants to accomplish? “Absolutely! There’s more work to be done.”
For example, there are misconceptions about women in construction that she would like to change. The biggest one? “That in any way, we are limited as a gender. Yes, there are impediments, however, tooling up with resolve, and refusing to take no as a final answer, the industry will change and adapt. It won’t be out of benevolence. It will be future-focused, bottom line-valuing industry influencers who will recognize women are an undeniable, critical component of the future success of our industry. Full stop.”
Rita has some final advice for women building a career in construction. “Never let others define the who, what, and where of your life,” she says, “Claim your space. Give yourself grace as you stand tall in your truth.”
Rita stands tall and steel tough, with strength forged in the hottest of fires.
For more information about NAWIC, please visit nawic.org or contact Payton Sears,
paytons@nawic.org
About NAWIC: The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) continues the vision of its founding members by advocating for the value and impact of women builders, professionals, and tradeswomen in all aspects of the construction industry. With 120 chapters across the country, and more than 6,000 members, NAWIC offers its members opportunities for professional development, education, networking, and leadership training. To learn more, visit here: nawic.org.
