Women in Construction Week takes place during the first full week in March every year. This year International Women’s Day falls in Women in Construction Week on the 8th of February 2022 and is a time to highlight all the great initiatives and work of women within the industry. There are many reasons why women may stray from the industry. It may be due to the opinion that the industry is old fashioned, there are a lack of female role models in the sector, or it may be that the roles may simply not appeal to women. However, thousands of exceptionally talented female construction workers would certainly disagree.
Strong women in the field are no less iconic than men in the business. In dedication to Women in Construction Week, as well as International Women’s Day, we want to highlight the many examples of women having a significant contribution to the industry.
Here are just a few examples of women making their mark within the construction industry:
Jeanne Gang – St Regis
Architect Jeanne Gang was first widely recognized for the Aqua Tower, an 82-story skyscraper in downtown Chicago, which at the time of its completion in 2009, was the tallest woman-designed building in the world. Gang then surpassed this with her contribution to the St Regis, Chicago. The St. Regis skyscraper in Chicago, upon its completion, became the city’s third-tallest building as well as the tallest structure in the world designed by a woman, standing at 101 stories high. Designed by Jeanne Gang and her architectural firm, Studio Gang Architects, the St. Regis and the nearby Aqua skyscraper, both stand as the two tallest structures in the world designed by a woman.
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Nicole Dosso – Rebuild of the World Trade Centre
Following the events of September 11th, 2001, architect Nicole Dosso was named the Technical Director of the construction project known as One World Trade Centre. Dosso was the single senior technical co-ordinator representing Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM) on the day-to-day execution of the job. For her contribution to the rebuilding of the World Trade Centre, Nicole Dosso was honoured by the US National Association of Professional Women in Construction in 2006.
Elizabeth Wilbraham
Elizabeth Wilbraham was born in 1632 to a wealthy noble English family and is considered somewhat of a mystery. To some she is named as the UK’s first female architect and a major patroness of architecture during the 17th century. However, the speculation surrounding her comes from the fact that there is no formal record of her as an architect. Women could not pursue any career in 17th century Britain, so if Wilbraham had designed anything, she could not have taken credit for it. Hence no record official record of her. From an early age she was interested in architecture and design and studied it heavily on her honeymoon to Rome. There were only a few architects in Britain in the 1660’s and Elizabeth’s style matched closely to that of many buildings and works by Christopher Wren, who she is thought to have mentored. Despite limitations caused by her gender, she created projects for many London churches and, according to architectural historian John Miller, she even designed some parts of Buckingham Palace, Oxford and Cambridge campuses.
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Emily Warren – Brooklyn Bridge
Washington Roebling was the Chief Engineer for the Brooklyn Bridge, one of the most iconic engineering projects in America’s history. However, when he fell ill in 1872, his wife, Emily Warren Roebling stepped in. She had kept notes of what needed to be completed when he fell ill and when her husband died, she began overseeing the day-to-day supervision and management of the project, serving as her husband’s spokesmen, relaying his instructions to workers onsite. When the bridge was eventually completed in 1883, there was a plaque honouring Emily and her husband.
World War II – Waterloo Bridge
World War II marked one of the most important periods for women in construction. While tens of thousands of men fought on the front lines, women took over entire industries that were previously considered unsuitable for them. From crane operators and welders to electrical engineers and mechanics in factories, women dominated sectors long reserved for men.
Waterloo Bridge is also known as ‘Ladies Bridge,’ as it was constructed by around 350 women during WWII following its damage in WWII. David Church, whose father worked on Waterloo Bridge throughout the war, recalled that there were ‘two grades of ladies’. Most of the women wore dungarees, while those in more senior roles, who were responsible for operating vehicles, wore all-in-one overalls, similar to the uniform worn by the men.
Despite the field being male dominated, does not mean that there is no place for women within the industry! Strong and successful women in history are already paving the way for women in the 21st century to find a career in the industry. There is a definitive growing trend in female empowerment in this line of work. One that we hope continues to grow.
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