THE HISTORY OF NAWIC:
The
National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) began
as Women in Construction of Fort Worth, founded on September
11, 1953 by Doris Efird and 15 other women who were looking
for a support system. These women were all actively employed
in the construction industry and had been doing business
with each other for years when they decided to finally meet
face to face. The founding members of Women in Construction
of Fort Worth were Alice Ashley, Ida Mae Bagby, Carolyn
Balcomb, Sue Bowling, Margaret Bubar, Margaret Cleveland,
Era Dunn, Doris Efird, Ronda Farrell, Hazel Floyd, Jimmie
Blazier, Nina Ruth Jenkins, Ethel McKinney, Irene Moates,
Mildred Tarter and Edna Mae Tucker. This progressive group
of women had the foresight to create an atmosphere where
they could network and support each other professionally
as well as personally. This support system gave them the
confidence to reach for and achieve their goals. When describing
this group of women, Alice Ashley said, “We were women
with electricity in our veins, cement dust on our shoes,
sawdust on our minds … busy, busy, busy, filthy things.
” In the first year of its existence, Women in Construction
raised over $2,700 to donate to the Foundation for Visually
Handicapped Children. They wanted to branch out beyond Fort
Worth in search of other women to join the organization,
but they discovered the charter was not adequate and did
not have the powers to organize other chapters. Women in
Construction of Fort Worth amended their charter to incorporate
other chapters in Texas and throughout the nation. In doing
so, on May 17, 1955, they became The National Association
of Women in Construction.
Advancements were made over
the years with the inception of The NAWIC Image in 1969,
the official publication detailing Association news. In
honor of the founding members, The NAWIC Founders Scholarship
Foundation (NFSF) was created in 1961 to award scholarships
to students pursuing construction-related studies. The NAWIC
Education Foundation (NEF), founded in 1972, developed programs
to enrich the minds of children as well as adults.
As word of NAWIC spread, several
foreign countries became interested in the cause to enhance
the success of women in the construction industry. In 1996,
NAWIC signed an International Affiliation Agreement with
NAWIC-Australia. In 1998, NAWIC signed an International
Affiliation Agreement with New Zealand and another in 1999
with South African Women in Construction (SAWiC). In September
2003, NAWIC signed an international affiliation agreement
with the United Kingdom.
NAWIC's objectives are:
- To unite for the mutual benefit of the women who are
actively engaged in the various phases of the construction
industry.
- To promote cooperation, fellowship and a better understanding
among members of the Association.
- To promote education and contribute to the betterment
of the construction industry.
- To encourage women to pursue and establish careers in
the construction industry.
- To provide members an awareness of the legislative process
and legislation as it relates to the construction industry.
TODAY'S NAWIC
Since its founding, NAWIC, an international non-profit organization,
has grown to a membership of 5,500 women with more than 179
chapters. In its 51 years of service to its members, NAWIC
has advanced the causes of all women in construction whose
careers range from business ownership to the skilled trades.
With almost 900,000 women working in construction today, the
industry is becoming more accepting of their non-traditional
roles.
Over the years, the cause of
NAWIC has stayed the same: To enhance the success of women
in the construction industry. NAWIC has many education opportunities:
For children - to explore and open their minds to the possibilities
construction offers as a career choice; For Adults - to
further their careers with certification courses. For more
than 30 years, NEF has offered creative and educational
programs for students from grade school to high school and
adult certification programs. The Foundation’s award-winning
Block-Kids program, Building Design Program and the CAD/Design/Drafting
Scholarship Awards competitions introduce students to careers
and opportunities in construction. NEF’s adult certification
programs include: Certified Construction Associate (CCA),
Construction Document Specialist (CDS) and Construction
Industry Technician (CIT), which are administered through
Clemson University. Since its founding, the NAWIC Founders’
Scholarship Foundation (NFSF) and NAWIC chapters nationwide
have awarded more than $4 million in scholarships to students
pursuing construction-related studies.
NAWIC has developed nationally
recognized awards programs to celebrate the achievements
of women in the industry, as well as supporters of women
in the industry. This year marks the 12th annual Crystal
Vision and Crystal Achievement Awards. The national campaign
for Women in Construction Week is held the first full week
of March each year and provides opportunities to celebrate
women in construction and to educate the public of their
cause. The NAWIC Image, the award winning national bi-monthly
magazine showcases the efforts, causes and issues of NAWIC
members and the construction industry. It has been the voice
of today’s woman in construction for more than 35 years.
NAWIC provides education, networking, legislative awareness,
industry and community involvement, personal growth and
development and lasting friendships. NAWIC is the voice
of women in construction.
