National Association of Women in Construction Tour I-4 Ultimate Project
Members of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) came together on International Women’s Day in March to recognize women working on the I-4 Ultimate project.
The NAWIC was founded by 16 women working in the construction industry in Texas with the core purpose of helping women succeed in the industry. Since the 1950s, chapters throughout the United States have provided opportunities for professional development, education, networking, leadership training, public service, and more to NAWIC members.
Women in Construction Week, which was observed on March 3-9, provided an occasion for NAWIC members to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in construction and emphasize the increasingly prominent role women play in the industry.
Angela Highland, NAWIC chair and former president of the organization’s Greater Orlando chapter, said the local chapter likes planning activities to highlight local women in the construction industry while also spotlighting projects within their community, such as the I-4 Ultimate project.
“It impacts all of us every day,” Highland said. “It is the high-profile project in Orlando, and it’s nice to see what it will look like in the long term.”
A group of about 20 women attended a presentation about the I-4 Ultimate project and toured a portion of the project near the Maitland Boulevard (State Road 414) interchange.
Debbie Rodriguez, a 12-year member of NAWIC and former president of the Greater Orlando chapter, said she enjoyed learning more about what goes into planning and rebuilding Interstate 4 (I-4).
“Driving I-4 every day, you wonder what’s going on, and it’s nice to know there is a method to the madness,” she said.
Rodriguez also is the chair for Construction Career Camp for Girls and founder of iBuild Central Florida. Both organizations bring industry leaders together to encourage young adults, especially young women, to consider construction as a career path.
She praised SGL — the construction joint venture team of Skanska, Granite, and Lane for the I-4 Ultimate project. Rodriguez called SGL a pioneer in encouraging education and job growth in the construction industry locally, especially among women and minorities.
Nearly 5 percent of workers on the I-4 Ultimate project are women, and that number does not include some administrative staff, project managers, subcontractors, or suppliers, according to SGL.
“SGL is on the upswing in bringing people to the industry,” she said. “When you drive on I-4 you see women and minorities, and it’s nice to see that diversity.”
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