As we celebrate Women in Construction (WIC) Week, we embrace this year’s theme: “Together We Rise.” This theme highlights the collective strength, unity, and growth of women in the construction industry, emphasizing their vital role in shaping its future.
In Ohio, the contributions of women to construction are both significant and inspiring. Their dedication and expertise have been instrumental in driving the state’s infrastructure and development projects forward. WIC Week offers an opportunity to recognize these achievements and encourage more women to pursue careers in this dynamic field.
Here are some of the stories of the women of Ohio’s construction workforce. Together, we rise!
- Name: Denette
- Company: Ohio CAT
- Title/Position: Service Coordinator
- Years working in construction: My role is more in the “Construction Support” industry, as I work in the Service Department. For the past 28.5 years, I’ve dealt with everything that needs to be done in a service department from opening & closing work orders, to writing warranties to paying invoices. In a company that is ever changing, my role has been ever changing as well.
- What inspired you to pursue a career in construction, and what has kept you motivated along the way?
I was looking for a job & found an ad in the neighborhood paper for a “Customer Service Representative.” Since I had years & years of experience in customer service, I answered the ad & was asked to come in for an interview. Walking through the shop to the office for my interview, seeing all the machines had clinched it for me. I knew at that minute that I HAD to work here or be around heavy equipment in some other application. My motivation comes from several things: Of course, the Taylor family provides a lot of motivation for me. Over the years, Ken has never stopped working, acquiring, adding, building, and encouraging everyone to do their best.Obviously, my co-workers are constant motivators! Day in and day out, we have each other’s back. We have all worked through good and bad days. And we’ve all worked through very difficult tasks that seem never ending. But we all know that we can always count on each other for help, for a laugh or just to listen for a minute. Best team ever!And of course, seeing what these techs do every day is astounding! From the time a machine is unloaded in the yard, sent into the shop for diagnosis & repairs and returned to the customer, it’s like an operating room. The skill of the techs is like that of surgeons. A machine comes in with issues and it leaves happy and healthy. And our painter is magic, he can take most any machine and make it look new again.
- What challenges have you faced as a woman in construction, and how have you overcome them?
It’s no secret that the construction industry is a “Man’s Industry.” And that’s OK. As a woman, I knew that walking through the front door. But times are changing, and the attitude is changing as more women accept jobs on construction sites and just having more women, in general, in the construction industry. I’ve listened to people talk to customers and have picked up some of the key questions that need to be asked. Those answers will determine the steps to come next. When you can “speak the speak” so to say, it is very helpful and that comes with time and experience. Keep in mind that some of the gentlemen that call in will ask to “talk to a guy that knows something.” Or my favorite story is that a customer told one of the Field Service technicians that “Your company shouldn’t need girls in the office. They should be home baking cookies.” By far, the very best way to overcome most anything is with professionalism, politeness & kindness.
- Can you share a moment when you felt especially empowered or supported by your colleagues in this industry?
I feel supported every day by everyone. We are all here for the same goal. About 6 years ago I had a medical issue that resulted in surgery, time off & some follow-up care. When I came back to work, my desk was full of flowers, confetti, gifts & an enormous fruit bouquet! It seemed that everyone looked at me every time they walked by, “just to check” on me. It’s efforts like that from others that really mean a lot!
- What advice would you give to young women considering a career in construction?
Go for it! Pretty much the only thing holding you back is you. You want to be a technician, and you have the mechanical aptitude, go to school. You want to be a machine operator, get trained & certified. You can’t do it if you don’t try.
- How do you see the role of women evolving in construction, and what changes would you like to see in the future?
Just as the Taylor’s are including the children in the business, many other companies are and have been doing the same thing. However, many of the children took on the more gender traditional roles. I see that changing & I hope that it continues to change. There is no reason that the daughters are not able to get involved with every aspect of the business from the office work to quoting to coordinating to planning to doing the work. These roles are opening a lot of doors for women in areas that no one ever thought possible.
