The National Association of Women in Construction, or NAWIC, has built a support network of more than 140 chapters around the world to assist women in the largely male-dominated construction fields. The organization was founded in 1953 by 16 women working in the construction industry in Fort Worth, Texas. NAWIC’s Lansing chapter became Michigan’s first in 1971.Current State's Mark Bashore speaks with two members of Lansing NAWIC about local women in construction.
Jane Smith is the Lansing chapter’s vice president and a controller for a local heating and air conditioning company. Smith says that the organization, unlike some trade associations, is for women in all facets of the construction industry and their core purpose is to enhance the success of women in the profession.
MaryEllen Brocklehurst is the student services coordinator for the Eaton RESA Career Preparation Center and she runs NAWIC’s summer camp for young girls, MAGIC. The camp is put together to encourage girls in nontraditional careers.
