Join Habitat SKKC in celebrating Women’s History Month by looking at how women can help build the future. For nearly 40 years, Women’s History Month has honored women’s historic achievements and contributions. This year’s theme is focused on the future: “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.”
At Habitat SKKC, we believe it’s important to have women leaders on new construction and repair sites. Including women on these teams ensures that all perspectives are represented and helps create a supportive work environment.
“Women in leadership roles in construction are essential for breaking down outdated norms, fostering a more collaborative and dynamic work environment. This proves that skill, dedication, and expertise are not defined by gender,” says Sarah Rice, Habitat SKKC Construction Project Manager.
Continuing the theme of inspiring the next generation, the annual Women Build, hosted by Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the country, returns this spring to encourage more women to volunteer in the construction space. This year’s Women Build, the 14th in SKKC history, takes place April 23-May 10, 2025.
Nationally, over 60% of Habitat homes have women heads-of-household, and by asking participants to devote at least one day to help build affordable homes, Women Build gives women an opportunity to be proactive in making a difference in their local communities. In turn, women will learn valuable building skills through hands-on lessons from our team and will have the opportunity to meet and spend time with other service-oriented individuals.
Construction sites can be intimidating, but the welcoming and encouraging environment at Women Build creates space for participants to ask questions and learn new skills, all while being surrounded by colleagues, friends, and peers. While all are welcome to participate, the event centers women to give them the space for collaborative learning they may not otherwise encounter.
Jessica Schell, Habitat SKKC Repair Project Manager, explains, “It’s important for women to be in construction because everybody’s perspective is necessary. With construction being predominantly male, there are people that haven’t been heard for a huge part of our history—beyond construction and beyond women. I have found that women often bring an openness, an adaptability to change, and a comfort with different voices being heard, especially in this field.”
As our largest volunteer-led fundraising event, last year’s Women Build raised over $127K in sponsorships, and 300 participants joined us for 25 build, repair, and store volunteer days for a total of 1,950 volunteer hours worked.
To build excitement for Women Build and provide interested participants the opportunity to ask Habitat SKKC’s team questions and meet other volunteers, we’re hosting a happy hour at Seattle’s Rough and Tumble Pub.
Both individuals and groups may sign up to participate in Women Build. Save the date for these individual Women Build dates:
- Yarrow Cottages (South Park) Wednesday, May 7th; Thursday, May 8th; & Friday, May 9th
- Miller’s Creek (Burien): Wednesday, May 7th; Thursday, May 8th; & Friday, May 9th
We hope you’ll consider joining us onsite to inspire—or become—the next generation of female leaders in construction.