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: Mary
- Company:J.D. Williamson Construction Co., Inc.
- Title/Position: President
- Years working in construction: 30+
- What inspired you to pursue a career in construction, and what has kept you motivated along the way?
In short: I never thought I would be in this position! My parents started the business over 50 years ago, so construction has always been a part of my life. When I was young, I would come in and help out: cleaning or painting or mowing the lawn. Then when I was old enough, I got an actual paid position as a shop helper. As many kids who grow up with family businesses, I couldn’t wait to go to college and do something else. I went to Ohio State and got my business degree in finance and accounting. I interned for American Electric Power in their energy trading department, and that ultimately turned into a job I kept for several years. My then boss ended up working for Citigroup in Houston, and he recruited me there. So my husband and I moved to Houston for a year. At one point, my parents came to visit, and we had a heart to heart. I wasn’t fulfilling anysort of passion in my job, and they were starting to think about their succession plans. I agreed to come back to Ohio and give the company a try. I was named president in 2012, when I was 33 years old.
- How have mentorship and collaboration played a role in your success in the construction industry?
My parents really taught me everything. My mom is still working in the business. She’s 77 years old now, and she just can’t give it up. My mom has always been involved in the business, and she’s always been really encouraging of me to be in leadership positions my whole life. So she’s been a great inspiration to me for leadership.
- Can you share a moment when you felt especially empowered or supported by your colleagues in this industry?
Coming back to this family company, employees were rightly skeptical of me as the owners’ daughter. But I didn’t walk in and run the place. I worked my way through a lot of the different departments and roles that eventually led to my being named president of the company. But more than anything, I remember feeling really strong when I was the new president of the company and I had my twins kind of around the same time. So before they were born, I was feeling ginormous and so pregnant with these two babies. But I was still going out into the field, and people kept telling me that I shouldn’t be here and to go and sit down. Honestly, they were just concerned about me, but I loved being out there and I felt great being there. I loved showing them that I was a mom and a leader and still able to do what I wanted to do within the company. That was really cool.
- What advice would you give to young women considering a career in construction?
Feel confident! You deserve to be here. Somesituations can be intimidating, but women deserve a seat at the table. I think about this all the time. There are many situations in which I might be the only woman literally at the table or one of one or two women in a meeting. It can be intimidating–but I know it’s important to be there.It’s very important to make connections with other females in the industry. I know there are OCA chair women who were before me, and they were great role models for me. Many woman have been company owners and mothers and wives, and they really showed me a lot about how to juggle all of those things. The more connections you can make, the better off you are, because just having those people to lean on and ask questions to is super important and and I try to do that in return for people. I genuinelywant to see people succeed and help them.
- How do you see the role of women evolving in construction, and what changes would you like to see in the future?
So much has changed since Ifirst started in construction 30 years ago. Women have worked hard over the years to prove themselves that we are capable of being in this industry and we can do a really good job at it. So I think that over the years, men and owners have realized that they’re not really tapping into a segment that can really benefit their companies. So I think that now they’re giving us a chance, and we’re proving ourselves and being successful, and we’re growing from there.
