Women are making history every day. “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them,” says Maya Angelou.

Since the beginning of time, women have been making history, starting with Eve in the garden. There was Ida B. Wells, who fought for African-American women’s equality by exposing racism through her writings. Then in the 1940's, there was Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, who advocated for Civil Rights for African Americans and Asian Americans in the 1940s. In 1995, there was Oseola McCarty, the 87-year-old African American washerwoman, who was denied acceptance to the University of Mississippi. She donated $150,000 to the University to establish a scholarship fund for students in need. Lastly, in 2021 Grandma Xiao was mugged and fought the mugger, then fought against racism by donating a million dollars to the community to educate against racism.

These are examples of inspiring women who got it done, women who made decisions, despite their struggles, problems, and challenges they faced. Women in construction, quietly every day are demonstrating how we get it done as we build. This issue will highlight some of these women as we celebrate all women who are getting it done.

I believe it is possible for inspired women who get it done to inspire other women to overcome their construction industry challenges. This, in turn, encourages women and girls to get it done. We can educate, graduate, develop skills, and build as we recognize and support each other in this construction industry. We may not control all the events. We are deciding not to be reduced by them. We are all just everyday women making history every day.

This is our story!

She + Hero = A woman who is admired for her courage and resiliency. She’s determined, fearless, honest empathetic, compassionate, inspire future leaders, and can lift the spirits of those around her.