b'WOMEN ON THE RISE Photo by Douglas Little PhotographyAs Manitoba Women in Construction enters its seventh year,four of its founding board members reflect on the changingculture of women in constructionBy Twila DriedgerOne look at the Winnipeg skyline,of whom currently sit on the WCApassion was poured into forming and its evident that the ManitobaBoard of Directorsto talk about howMWC. Its no wonder that it was construction industry is evolving. MWC started, the immense amountdifficult to prioritize input from all the The Canadian Museum for Humanof support theyve received and theoriginal board members to determine Rights, 300 Main and True Northchanging role of women in the initiatives and direction that would Square are among many projectsthe industry. be best for members.transforming downtown.IN THE BEGINNING Investing in strategic planning was But perhaps another modificationMy dream was for MWC to be anone of the most important decisions to the construction landscape inoutlet for women in construction inwe made as a board, Urban says. Manitoba has been the advancementManitoba to be able to learn from eachThe streamlined direction allowed of women. Stats are changing slowlyother, share successes and strugglesMWC to prioritize tasks and target and dont reflect the reform, but oneand provide support to each other, allbenefits to its members. As a group, only needs to look at the 2020 WCAwhile contributing to the success of thewe functioned more efficiently and at a Board of Directors to realize that theindustry, explains Teri Urban, Healthhigher level after we had our strategies representation of women is on the rise. and Safety Manager, Parkwest Projectsand action plans in place.While women have always beenLtd., and a past chair (2016-2017) One of those priorities was to deliver involved in the industry, Winnipegof MWC. six high-quality events a yeara mix Construction Associations formationSoo Lee, Immediate Past Chair of MWCof both professional development of Manitoba Women in Constructionand Project Manager for Marwestseminars and networking events. (MWC) in 2014 provided a communityConstruction, remembers how muchWe recently hosted the fourthfor women in a male-dominatedwork it was to get the group off theannual Building HER Story, detailsindustry and has certainly played a roleground, but also how dedicated theLee, referring to the popularin the progression. committee was to see it succeed. panel presentation.Six years and more than 650 membersWhen we first started MWC, we wereI think that the women in our industry later, MWC has developed into ajust trying to get the wheels rolling want to know that their experiences recognized organization that providesto go from square to round, Lee says.are not unique, explains Ellowyn support, education and mentoring toNow, look at how many members weNadeau, MWC Chair and Red River both women and men in the Manitobahave! Now we have the resources andCollege Instructor. Building HER construction industry. sponsorship and are well equipped. Story gives the industry more female Build Manitoba sat down with four ofWhen these women are together inrole models. If you see someone like MWCs founding board membersallone room, its apparent how muchyourself (gender/culture/etc.) in a Issue 1 Spring Edition 2020 BUILD MANITOBA 21'