UVI Safety in Paradise Highlights VI Women in Construction
In commemoration of National Women’s History Month and in celebration of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)’s 25th Annual Women in Construction Week, UVI Safety in Paradise is highlighting women in the USVI in construction.
The focus of WIC Week is to highlight women as a viable component of the construction industry, raising awareness about the opportunities in construction, and learning about the barriers still in place for women in male-populated industries.
Statistics Of Women in Construction
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, 1,173,000 women now work in construction and make up 9.9 percent of the construction industry in the United States.
On average, women in the U.S. earn 82.9 percent of what men make. The gender pay gap is significantly smaller in construction occupations, with women earning on average 95.5 percent of what men make.
Opportunity for Growth
As recovery and mitigation efforts due to climate change and climate change-related shocks continue ramp up across the territory, the demand for workers in the construction industry is greater than ever. This presents an opportunity for even more women to join the industry, and an even greater opportunity to increase the number of women in the most underrepresented fields within the industry. According to NAWIC, women represent only 0.5 percent of roofers, 0.7 percent of tower crane operators, and 5.4 percent of steel crane operators. NAWIC also highlights the modest growth of women as welders, with the field only experiencing a 1 percent increase between 2010 and 2018. Finally, NAWIC notes that women account for only about 180,000 masonry workers across the United States.
Inspiration for the Future
In hopes of inspiring more women to consider careers in construction, we’d like to introduce you to women in the VI leaving their mark on the industry.
Meet..
Elisa Sanchez
EJS Project Management Group
Licensed Civil Engineer, Certified Project Management Professional
“If you are an independent, forward-thinking female who likes to build things with their minds and hands, I urge you to consider the wide variety of professions available in the construction industry.”
Sanchez has worked in the construction industry for 20 years. After 15 years, she started her own project management firm, which focuses on Construction Management. From a very young age she was fascinated by heavy equipment and all things construction. A love for Math & Science and desire to be part of something people could appreciate, led to participation in the Magnet Program at the Educational Complex which assisted her in choosing a career path in Civil Engineering. “I wanted to say ‘I helped design that bridge or managed the construction of that skyscraper.’ Watching something be constructed from the ground up still fascinates me and provides a sense of accomplishment. When I started working in this male dominant industry as a 22-year-old, it was a great challenge. Having to overcome stereotypes that women belong behind a desk, or our knowledge is somewhat inferior pushed me to be successful. Fortunately, women have made great strides in the construction industry since then by not just increasing in numbers but also by owning large construction firms and being widely successful doing it. If you are an independent, forward-thinking female who likes to build things with their minds and hands, I urge you to consider the wide variety of professions available in the construction industry.”
“After 20 years of experience, I am still learning and growing. The field is always changing for the better and it never gets boring. I look forward to another 20 years of growth, in the dirt or amongst the piles of concrete. Women in Construction is where it’s at!”
Doane Dariah
Gold Star Properties
NCCER-certified Crew Leader, Certified Safety Officer, Project Manager, Licensed Realtor
“If any woman wants to get into those fields of construction, I beg that you stay committed and focus, because men will always view you as inferior on the job site, so learn and gain knowledge so you can stand on your own merits.”
Born in the US Virgin Islands, Dariah holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Dietetics and a minor in chemistry. In 2006 after experiencing flipping a house from a Marshal sale, Dariah decided that building new homes was her passion and, in 2009, opened Sugar Mill Management LLC, with her sister where they built and sold the first house that Dariah designed. Dariah serves as the project manager on all of her work sites, and currently monitors an eight-man crew tasked with building the UVI Nursing School on St. Croix’s Albert A. Sheen Campus. Dariah hopes to partner with a development company to build middle income housing on St. Croix. “If any woman wants to get into those fields of construction, I beg that you stay committed and focus, because men will always view you as inferior on the job site, so learn and gain knowledge so you can stand on your own merits.”
Carla Wright
KMI International, Inc.
Senior Estimator
Years in the Field: 20 Years
“It’s challenging, satisfying, and at the end of the day you can physically see your work product and know what you’re doing is making a difference for the economy, community, and general well-being of the population in the area of your projects.”
“I stumbled into the construction industry while attending the University of Central Florida working on my MS in Mathematics. I found myself in need of employment and worked as an administrative subcontractor for an electrical construction company. The owner of the company learned what I was studying and decided to hire me, and the rest is history.
I enjoy working in the construction industry because every day is a challenge and it’s not always the same challenge we face. It’s very interesting to not only see the finished product but also to know exactly how the finished product came together.
Construction is no longer a field where only men can succeed. Women have repeatedly proven a great job can be done regardless of gender and it is definitely a field I would highly recommend considering as a profession for other women. It’s challenging, satisfying, and at the end of the day you can physically see your work product and know what you’re doing is making a difference for the economy, community, and general well-being of the population in the area of your projects.”
Carol Godby
KMI International, Inc.
Assistant Project Manager/Project Accountant
Years in the Field: 31 Years
A woman in construction can be an architect, a laborer in the field, an inspector, as I was, or a specialist in troubled projects and there is no limit to what is in between those extremes.”
“I got into the field because I worked in a County Planning and Building office. During my time there, I learned how to read plans and when an inspector position for infrastructure opened, I already understood how to read plans, so I only needed to learn the field portion of the job. Luckily, I got the inspector position and started learning in the field.
I really enjoy seeing structures and infrastructure go from paper to real life and the impacts it has on people, be it from a subdivision of houses to a hotel and amenities and even bridges that hold commuters. Everything that I have been a part of building gives great satisfaction to see in later years as it is used by untold numbers of people.
I think there is a misconception of construction always having to be in the “dirt” so to speak. There are so many opportunities in construction to assist in projects that do not necessarily require work boots and hardhats every single day. Before building even begins, there are budgets to develop, plans to create, selections on finishes to complete and so much more. A woman in construction can be an architect, a laborer in the field, an inspector, as I was, or a specialist in troubled projects and there is no limit to what is in between those extremes.”
Kayla Raub
KMI International, Inc.
Project Engineer
Years in the Field: 2 Years
“I think all women should know that there are women in construction and despite popular belief, it’s not a man’s world, at all.”
“I graduated with a BS in Urban and Regional Planning from Texas A&M University and upon graduation, was admitted into my school’s Master of Science in Construction Management program. I have always been interested in development in general, so I thought construction would be a perfect fit.
I really enjoy being in construction because no two days are the same. It is extremely fast paced, and every day brings new challenges. There is never a dull moment in the construction industry, especially when working in a field office. I also really enjoy the relationships that I’ve made while being out on the job sites.
I think all women should know that there are women in construction and despite popular belief, it’s not a man’s world, at all. Being a woman in construction is extremely rewarding and I feel an overwhelming amount of respect from everyone I encounter.”
Kishma Allen
Benton Construction, LLC
Sr. Project Accountant
Years in the Field: 16 Years
“I think other women should consider construction because women can and will make a noticeable difference in whatever we do.”
“While growing up, my weekends were filled with construction projects for either my mom or dad. Years later, while working for a management company, I was the only accountant who welcomed the entities with construction projects. Eventually, I began working for J Benton Construction as the now Sr. Project Accountant.
Besides being able to get out of the office and walking the sites, working in the Construction industry is extremely rewarding simply because every construction project has an end. I get to see the beginning and since I live on a small island, I get to see how the community is uplifted—whether the construction work was a facelift, a new school, an airport or fixing a road. It is rewarding just knowing that I was a part of that project.
I think other women should consider construction because women can and will make a noticeable difference in whatever we do.”
Anna L. Holley
J. Benton Construction, LLC
Marketing Manager
Years in the Field: 6 Years, 11 Months
“…we’re dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where every woman has the opportunity to excel and we understand that diversity is our strength.”
As the former Office Manager and now inaugural Marketing Manager at J. Benton Construction, LLC, I am a representative of the company to anyone I interact with. My role tends to be two-fold: the guiding voice in all aspects of our messaging, maintaining a consistent message across our website, social media platforms, and both digital and print media.
My proposal related responsibilities (local & federal government, private sector) include developing strategic and competitive responses to Request for Proposals (RFPs), Statement of Qualifications (SOQs), and other prequalification-related deliverables with an emphasis on capturing management and win-theme strategies to secure opportunities. I oversee the full life cycle of proposal development and take end-to-end ownership and command of proposal development and related support processes.
Throughout my work, I ensure that the message we convey highlights J. Benton Construction’s values of professionalism, integrity, quality workmanship, adherence to deadlines, and following through on our commitments.
“At J. Benton Construction, we’re dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where every woman has the opportunity to excel and we understand that diversity is our strength. Our approach is rooted in respect, equality, and the belief that our collective efforts lead to extraordinary achievements.”
Kaye Gumbs
Field Coordinator
Years in the Field: 6 Years
“Women can be just as skilled as men in this field. These skills have helped me advance in my career and in life.”
“Working in construction has provided me not only with a job, but with a family and opportunities that have yielded a good life for me and my family. It has opened a world of knowledge into how this industry operates and the fascinating process that each project endures. My experiences have allowed me to find my place as a member of a successful team, and have empowered me with the ability to execute projects within my own household without needing to call another professional for costly help. I am also able to share my gained knowledge with my children, empowering and strengthening my entire family. As a single mother, those things are important to me. Plus, it’s fun to show off my skills. Women can be just as skilled as men in this field. These skills have helped me advance in my career and in life.”
For more information on women in construction, visit https://nawic.org.
St. Thomas
St. Croix
