Professional Women in Construction 2011: Time for the tide to turn for women

According to Professional Women in Construction (PWC) national president Lenore Janis, 2011 will prove a turning point for women in the industry. "The economy is starting to rebound, and this time women are fully poised to take advantage of the resurgence," she said. "The founding chapter, PWC-NY, just celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2010 and already is drawing larger crowds to the monthly events. Our six successful chapters (CT, NJ, NY, DC area, PA and FL) are growing. We can definitely say, 'we're not getting older, we're getting better!'" she says. Janis notes too that, "Our constituency recognizes the power of networking - they know that they need to see and be seen." In 1980, a dozen determined women joined forces to form PWC, an advocacy and support organization dedicated to the advancement of professional, managerial and entrepreneurial women in the industry. Janis, one of the founders, was the owner of a small steel erection company, newly certified by the government as a women-owned business enterprise (WBE). Her passion for the cause has propelled the organization's phenomenal growth for three decades. "We had a vision, and 'impossible' was never part of our vocabulary," said Janis, whose career includes serving as the first woman director of building management-overseeing 250 tradesmen-at the city's Department of Sanitation in the mid-1980s. Today PWC is a widely respected non-profit, incorporated industry association that counts over 15,000 constituents in its database. It has attracted governors, mayors, members of congress, borough presidents, attorney generals, countless commissioners as well as CEOs and other leaders of private industry to its monthly-and sometimes bimonthly-targeted informational networking sessions (Meet the Construction Chiefs; Meet the Architects & Engineers, Meet the Real Estate Industry), trade shows, all-day golf outings, awards receptions including Salute to Women of Achievement, and breakfast seminars that tackle such timely topics as real estate development, energy and transportation. Each event draws capacity to overflowing crowds of women and men. In more and more ways, the vision is being realized as growing numbers of small and mid-size business owners-many of them women and/or minorities-seek out the opportunities and support offered by PWC. The PWC website, www.pwcusa.org. boasts 25,000 visits from across the nation in an average month. "We've come a very long way and are proud of our progress. Now the real work begins!" said Janis. PWC members credit the organization for helping businesses both huge and small. "The PWC formula works! We've found excellent companies and highly qualified professionals through PWC's rich reservoir of members," said Eric Zorn, president, Walmart Realty. "PWC's programs clearly demonstrate just how valuable the organization is to the real estate and construction industry," said Bill Brody, vice president, IBEX Construction. "To do business in New York City, we need a presence. The more we attend PWC functions, the more we become a familiar face," said Laura Huch Kerckhoff, president, Castcon-Stone Inc. "I am continually impressed with the caliber of...programs. PWC is showing us that women construction professionals are indeed setting the agenda for the 21st Century," said John Farnham, executive director, AGC of Connecticut. For more information on PWC National, visit www.pwcusa.org or email [email protected].