b'BUILDING HER STORYThree women light up the stage as they share their stories of trial and triumph in the construction industryBy Twila DriedgerThe estrogen was electric insideTechnology, acted as emcee andFor Widmer, as the first female Winnipegs Park Theatre on Februaryset the stage for the honest andapprentice in the history of Red River 21, 2019, for Manitoba Women inenlightening conversation. Colleges Bricklayer Apprenticeship Constructions third annual BuildingDespite their varied backgroundsprogram, the expectations were high.HER Story. A sold-out crowd joinedand stories, the panel shared severalFor me, since everyone was watching, a panel of three exemplary women similaritiesin character, in aspirationsI had to do really, really well. So, I did Nina Widmer, Bonnie Leon and Teriand in experiences: They all arereally, really well, explained Widmer. Urbanwho shared inspiring storiesmothers to girls, they all wanted toIt took a lot of hard workstaying on their careers in construction. be financially independent, they allafter class, analyzing my work, asking Ellowyn Nadeau, MWC Vice-Chairwanted to work in construction frommillions of questionsbut I graduated and Red River College Instructor ina young age and they all overcameat the top of my class in every single obstacles as women in a male- level. I had the highest (Interprovincial the Department of Civil Engineeringdominated industry. Red Seal Exam) score ever in history.A few years before, the environment wasnt as accepting for Leon, who went to school as an apprentice carpenter. Her attendance was met with skepticism and disapproval. My first day of school, my instructor said that women dont belong here, Leon said.But Leon was resilient, stuck with it and has much insight when it comes to coaching other women in overcoming the challenges faced in this industry. You need to have tenacity, vision, a really good sense of who you are and know your values, she said.Urbans path was different, having grown up in and around the Left to right: Ellowyn Nadeau, Nina Widmer, Bonnie Leon, Teri Urban and Julia Ryckman strikeconstruction industry. I loved it and I a pose following the sold-out panel presentation. wanted to be part of it, she said. My 16 BUILD MANITOBAwinnipegconstruction.ca'