March 2025 HBAL President’s Message

©www.jennifer schultz.com

Executive Order #1: Celebrating Women in Construction

The construction industry is evolving, and women are playing an increasingly vital role in shaping its future. From the jobsite to the boardroom, women in construction bring diverse perspectives, leadership and expertise that drive innovation and success. Yet, despite their growing presence, women still make up less than 10% of the construction workforce and only 3% of the trades. That’s why celebrating and supporting women in this field is more important than ever.

Women in construction have excelled in project management, engineering, skilled trades and leadership roles, proving that talent and dedication defines success, not gender. Their contributions improve jobsite efficiency, foster teamwork and help bridge the industry’s skilled labor gap. By encouraging more women to explore careers in construction, we will create a stronger, more diverse workforce which benefits everyone.

I always tell the story of a ‘Concrete 101’ program where I give 5th-grade students a bag of concrete, challenging them to create the strongest mix in the class. After participating in dozens of these programs, would you like to guess who wins most often? The girls. I’ve always said, ‘If we want better concrete, we need more women.’

Let’s celebrate the women who are breaking barriers, building communities and shaping the future of construction. Their work is not just about building homes, it’s about creating lasting change.