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The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) is presenting Women in Construction Week to spotlight women as a critical component of success in the industry.

Women comprise only 10.9 percent of the industry’s workforce, but NAWIC wants to change that. The group started its annual event in 1998 in order to raise awareness of industry opportunities for women as well as celebrate those already taking advantage. The week was originally held in September but then moved to March 鈥� Women’s History Month.

鈥淭here are women working in construction 365 days a year, but we are bringing some extra presence to the women in construction this week,鈥� NAWIC President Anne Pfleger said.

In the past, Women in Construction Week included large, in-person fundraising events. But the COVID-19 pandemic altered plans for 2021, Pfleger said. This year’s theme is 鈥渃onnect, collaborate and construct,鈥� she said. This is the first time, she added, that members of chapters across the country are able to join other celebrations since they are all virtual.

NAWIC’s Portland chapter on Friday, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., will host a virtual panel discussion on diversity and inclusion in the construction industry with participants from JE Dunn Construction, Turner Construction and CRESA. Visit to learn more.

Also, virtual jobsite tours and volunteerism events are taking place throughout the week. On Saturday, the chapter will conclude the week with deliveries of food boxes for the Black Resilience Fund.

One goal for the week, said Stacey Lin, the Portland chapter’s WIC Week committee chairwoman and recording secretary, is to 鈥渆mphasize the growing role of women in the industry.鈥�

NAWIC’s Salem chapter is hosting a 鈥淪hed Build鈥� event for families whose properties were affected by the 2020 wildfires. The sheds will provide places for victims of the wildfires to store food, belongings and tools while they live out of trailers and rebuild their homes, said Juli Foscoli, the chapter’s secretary.

Women who enter construction 鈥渁re really pushed down by the men at the beginning,鈥� Foscoli said. 鈥淭hough it usually聽improves, as their worth as workers is recognized, it’s important for women to connect to a support system or tribe.鈥�