The construction industry, like many industries, has long been a male-dominated field. In recent years, the share of women in the industry has risen to the highest level in twenty years: 11.3%, marking a significant rebuilding of the labor force after the recession of 2008. This growth is indicative of the fact that long-term operational excellence is built on diverse expertise, inclusive career pathways, and sustained investment in people – like the breadth and depth of women’s experiences – not just equipment.
Women in Construction Week is an opportunity for the industry to celebrate this diversity: the innovative contributions, notable achievements, and technical expertise of women in construction that support the very infrastructure of the industry.
This blog will:
– Explore the history and importance of Women in Construction Week and its founding organization, The National Association of Women in Construction
– Share the key themes that serve as the foundation for Sylvan during this year’s celebration of women and their impact
– Highlight female voices from across Sylvan that showcase the integral roles women play in the advancement of the culture and success of the business
What is Women in Construction Week?
Women in Construction Week is an annual celebration led by The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) that advances and promotes the vital role women play in the construction industry. From March 1-7, 2026, NAWIC, along with thousands of partners across the industry, will work together to amplify the contributions and achievements of women, educate the public and industry peers about the opportunities available to women, and inspire the next generation of women in construction.
For Sylvan, this isn’t about highlighting a single week; it’s about acknowledging the consistent work required to build an industry that reflects the people in it. This week underscores our belief that progress happens when opportunity is accessible to everyone, and when diverse perspectives are embedded into how teams plan, collaborate, and solve problems.
Women in Construction Week History
The first Women in Construction Week was in 1960. On the heels of NAWIC’s formation in 1953 in Fort Worth, Texas, then-Mayor of Amarillo, A.C. Madison, declared the first Women in Construction Week from September 10-16, 1960. The inaugural week was in honor of the founding of NAWIC, which came together to “unite their mutual benefit women who are actively engaged in the various phases of the construction industry. To encourage cooperation and better understanding between them, and to promote fellowship and goodwill among members of the organization.”
What began as a small collective of women grew into dozens of chapters and thousands of women. Then, in 1998, NAWIC moved Women in Construction Week to the first full week of March to align with two other celebrations that champion equity and inclusivity for women: Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day.
Today, NAWIC has more than 120 chapters in 47 states. Women in Construction Week has also grown. The organization hosts daily virtual events, encourages members to share their stories and photos, and offers programming around elevating female voices and the future of the construction industry.
For companies like Sylvan, Women in Construction Week is more relevant than ever. While progress has been made, there is still ground to cover. Technology and rapidly changing service demands require a variety of new ways of thinking. Acknowledging and recognizing Women in Construction Week is our way of reiterating that inclusive teams aren’t just the right thing to cultivate, they’re necessary for continued success and momentum.
Here are four areas that are top of mind at Sylvan as we mark this year’s celebration of Women in Construction.
1. Supporting long-term, sustainable careers
When individuals demonstrate reliability and sound judgment, they are empowered to make decisions, take initiative, and lead within their roles. With that empowerment comes accountability, creating a culture where people take pride in their work and follow through on their commitments. Building that trust and offering those opportunities takes time, but the return on that time far outweighs its risk. We’re working to consistently provide more in-field opportunities for women to build confidence and expertise.
Azja Stroud, Marketing Specialist at Sylvan, shared how accountability and confidence build trust and, in turn, better leaders.
“One of the most impactful aspects of Sylvan’s culture is agency—being trusted to take ownership of work and ideas, learn through experience, and contribute meaningfully. There’s an emphasis on learning by doing with the safety net of a team that wants you to succeed. Women I work with often highlight how empowering and refreshing it is to be trusted with meaningful responsibilities early on, while still having leaders who guide, coach, and offer honest feedback. Women aren’t siloed into support functions; they’re equally encouraged to lead initiatives, manage relationships, and influence outcomes.”
2. Retaining top talent
When we support and retain great talent, we don’t just maintain our standards; we push them higher. That commitment reflects our brand belief that we rise above by investing in our people, learning from one another, and continuously striving for excellence.
As we’ve experienced rapid growth and expanded our footprint, our team has nearly doubled in size, welcoming diverse perspectives, experiences, and ideas from both women and men.
We are seeing a strong culture of women supporting women across the organization, sharing knowledge, advocating for one another, and helping build confident, high-performing teams. One thing we’ve learned during this growth phase? The work to create spaces where employees can thrive is ongoing. It doesn’t end when we’ve hit a certain milestone; it requires continued attention backed by action.
Joann Stemm has been with Sylvan for over 10 years. As a Chief Estimator, she leads the development of comprehensive cost strategies for mechanical systems overseeing project document review, material take-offs, risk analysis, supplier coordination, and final bid preparation. She plays a key role in making sure our project budgets are not only accurate but aligned with both operational execution and client expectations.
“My time in the construction industry has taught me how to excel at handling numerous moving parts at once, while tapping those around me for support when I need it. To be successful in this field, you need determination, a lot of knowledge, poise, and to become a multitasking master,” Stemm shared.
3. Elevating voices and mentoring
Experienced women help shape our culture. Through mentorship, knowledge sharing, and everyday leadership, they build confidence in others and demonstrate what long-term career growth can look like in construction. Their impact extends beyond individual projects, contributing to stronger teams and a more resilient organization.
“There is room here for people to find their own voice, to ask questions, recommend solutions, and take ownership of their work without being overshadowed. That sense of agency builds confidence and fuels long-term growth and passion. That visibility builds confidence and creates a cycle where women support and advocate for one another, ” shared Stroud.
We’re consistently working to be sure that all voices, especially those that aren’t as prominent, are heard. At Sylvan, questions, feedback, and new ideas are welcomed, not dismissed or siloed. There’s an emphasis on mutual respect and recognizing contributions consistently—not just when milestones are hit. These are the everyday behaviors and actions that make inclusion a lived experience at Sylvan, not just a line in a handbook.
When Chelsea Carter joined Sylvan, she was impressed by the number of women who had been at the company for many years. The Corporate Marketing Manager shared, “Not only have I felt inspired by the women I’m working with, but I’ve also felt supported by my male colleagues. Everyone has given me the opportunity to voice my perspective and pour into my development, which has meant a great deal to me both personally and professionally.”
4. Opportunities for growth
Women in construction and service-led roles often navigate challenges that go beyond job descriptions—visibility, credibility, work-life balance, and being ‘the only one in the room’ are still realities for many. There’s also the challenge of finding visible mentors and role models in trades and leadership.
As we look toward the future growth and sustainability of our company, we know that opportunity isn’t defined by titles; it’s shaped by willingness and follow-through. While women’s share of the construction industry is growing, there remain gaps in access to trade-related training, in-field positions, and the number of women in leadership roles. If we want the growth of this industry to remain steady, we have to build teams that want women to succeed and leadership that recognizes the value of individual paths. Here, you can build a career that aligns with your aspirations, celebrate your milestones with people who do, and embrace a culture that welcomes diverse viewpoints.
Women in Construction Week reminds us that excellence in this industry looks like all of us, and at Sylvan, there’s space and support to grow and be challenged without sacrificing who you are.
FAQs:
When is Women in Construction Week 2026?
Women in Construction Week is March 1-7, 2026.
How to celebrate Women in Construction Week?
By sharing the stories and voices of women in your industry, celebrating their accomplishments, and advocating for their growth.