b'WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTIONCELEBRATINGWOMEN INCONSTRUCTIONFOR INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY, TCA HONOURS OUTSTANDING FEMALE MEMBERS By Sarah B. HoodIN HONOUR OF Internationalwhich she helped found some two Womens Day (IWD), Builders Digestdecades ago. turns a spotlight on prominent women in the local construction industry. IWDThe Environmental Committee 2023 was held on March 8 this year, andconnects the construction industry with the United Nations chose the theme ofenvironmental education, awareness, DigitALL: Innovation and technology forbest practices, guidelines and policies gender equality. while encouraging and promoting a This aligns with the theme for the 67thculture of environmental sustainability. Session of the Commission on the StatusIm proud of that, Willson says. Its of Women, held March 6 to 17, wherebecome more important over the years, delegates discussed innovation andand getting even more so. technological change, and educationThe committee has addressed many in the digital age for achieving genderkey environmental issues, from waste equality and the empowerment of allCATHERINE WILLSON management to HVAC (an area of women and girls. TRUE LAW LEGAL SERVICES special interest since the beginning of Certainly, women play a strong role onCatherine Willson, founder of True Lawthe COVID-19 pandemic) and the City of the TCA Board, in the membership, andLegal Services, entered the field ofTorontos new Green Standards.in the construction industry in general,construction and employment law in with their participation continuing to grow.1989, when a construction boom drewLast year, Willson was honoured Here, three women who are especiallyher to such projects as the SkyDomeas TCA Volunteer of the Year. I am active with TCA discuss their careers,(as the Rogers Centre was then called).grateful for my long-term friendships their accomplishments and the increasingSince then, I fell in love with theand relationships within the TCA participation of women in construction. construction industry, Willson says.membership. The people at TCA have For 20 years, Willson headed her ownsupported me throughout my career, firm, Willson Lewis, and then she joinedproviding me with opportunities and Goldman Sloan Nash & Haber. In 2022, THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRYshe opened a mostly virtual law firm,friendship and fun, she says.True Law Legal Services.IS VERY WELCOMING ANDThe construction industry is very Beginning with the Young Constructionwelcoming and encouraging of women Leaders (YCL) Executive Committee,[and] women have moved forward more ENCOURAGING OF WOMEN Willson has served on a number of TCAquickly in construction than in law, committees, and she helped draft thesays Willson. Im very optimistic about - CATHERINE WILLSONTCA Code of Ethics. She has just steppedthe future of construction in Ontario, TRUE LAW LEGAL SERVICES down from several years as chair of thedespite the difficulties we currently face. associations Environmental Committee,I encourage women to get involved.32Quarter 12023 BUILDERSDIGEST'