Breaking Ground and Barriers: Women in Construction
The construction industry is often seen through the lens of hard hats, steel beams, and heavy machinery—a world traditionally dominated by men. However, beneath those hard hats are countless women who, throughout history and today, have contributed to and transformed the construction landscape.
The sector is experiencing a significant shift as more women join its ranks, bringing diverse perspectives, innovative approaches, and valuable skills. This evolution is crucial for the future of the construction industry. As we celebrate Women’s History Month 2025, CIC Construction Group honors the remarkable women who are shaping a stronger and more inclusive construction industry and beyond.
Women Who Made History: The Pioneers of Construction
Throughout history, women have played crucial roles in construction, though their contributions have often been overlooked or unrecorded. From the 13th-century day laborers in Navarre, Spain to trailblazers like Julia Morgan—the first woman to receive an architecture license in California and designer of iconic structures such as Hearst Castle—women have been instrumental in shaping our built environment.
The pioneering efforts of figures like Emily Roebling, who served as the de facto Chief Engineer during the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, and Sarah Guppy, who patented a revolutionary bridge design in 1811, demonstrate that women’s expertise in construction has deep historical roots. Louise Blanchard Bethune, the first professional female architect in the United States, designed hundreds of buildings in New York, including the renowned Hotel Lafayette.
During World War I and II, with many men at war, women stepped into roles as welders, machine operators, and construction workers. Their contributions supported wartime efforts and also reshaped the workforce, proving that women could excel in physically demanding and technically complex roles.
Today’s Landscape: Women in Construction
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, women represent approximately 10.9% of the construction workforce. While this number reflects significant progress, it also highlights the substantial room for growth. Encouragingly, the National Association of Women in Construction reports that 44% of women in the industry serve in professional and managerial roles.
In Puerto Rico, organizations like the Puerto Rico Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC-PR) and their Women in Construction (WinC) committee, founded in 2017, work diligently to increase female participation in construction and foster a culture of diversity and inclusion throughout the industry.
The Business Case for Gender Diversity
Beyond equity considerations, increasing women’s participation in construction makes strong business sense. Studies consistently show that diverse teams drive innovation, enhance problem-solving capabilities, and improve financial performance. In the construction industry specifically:
- Companies with women in leadership positions report higher profits than those without female representation at the executive level.
- The gender wage gap in construction is narrower than in any other industry, with women earning 94 cents to every dollar earned by men, compared to the overall average of 81 cents.
- According to a Levelset survey, 78% of women in construction report high job satisfaction, indicating strong retention potential.
- Women bring different perspectives to project planning, risk assessment, and client relations, creating more comprehensive and effective approaches.
At CIC, we’re creating an environment where women can fully contribute their talents and advance professionally.
The Path Forward: Building a More Inclusive Future
The reconstruction efforts across our operational regions—Puerto Rico, North Carolina, and Florida—present unique opportunities to increase women’s participation in construction. With significant workforce demands across these markets, there’s tremendous potential to expand the female workforce in both traditional and emerging roles.
To capitalize on these opportunities and continue building a more inclusive industry, CIC Construction Group is committed to:
- Expanding Educational and Training Programs: Supporting initiatives that equip women with specialized construction skills and certifications.
- Promoting Women-Owned Businesses: Facilitating partnerships with women-led construction enterprises and suppliers.
- Challenging Gender Stereotypes: Actively working to eliminate task stereotyping and demonstrating that women can excel in all construction roles.
- Advocating for Industry-Wide Changes: Collaborating with associations, educational institutions, and government entities to develop policies that support women in construction.
- Showcasing Female Success Stories: Highlighting the achievements of women at CIC Construction Group to inspire the next generation.
Empowering More Women to Join the Industry
To build a more inclusive future, it is essential to inspire more women to join the construction industry.
Organizations like AGC-PR’s WinC committee are vital in this mission, offering policy guidelines and advocating for cultural shifts that encourage a balanced and dynamic workforce. When we empower women to take up roles in construction, we enrich the industry with diverse perspectives and solutions, driving both social and economic progress.
Celebrating Women in Construction
As we celebrate Women’s, CIC Construction Group salutes every woman who has picked up a hard hat, designed a blueprint, or led a project to completion. You are the architects of our future, building not just structures but the foundations of a more equitable world.
At CIC Construction Group, we’re proud that women lead a diverse range of projects across commercial, healthcare, residential, and life sciences sectors in multiple markets. Their leadership and expertise are invaluable assets to our company and to the clients we serve. These women embody the spirit of excellence, talent, creativity, and leadership that defines our company culture.
These leaders are not only managing construction sites but also driving innovation, managing budgets, and ensuring the highest safety and quality standards.
A Shared Commitment to Progress
As our communities in Puerto Rico, North Carolina, and Florida continue their paths toward growth and development, the construction industry must leverage all available talent. Women represent an underutilized resource with immense potential to drive the sector forward. Through deliberate action, sustained commitment, and collaborative efforts, we can create a construction industry where gender diversity is celebrated as essential to excellence.
CIC Construction Group is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation, working to ensure that construction becomes an industry where women can build not just structures, but fulfilling, rewarding careers across all our operational regions.
We invite everyone to support and celebrate the incredible achievements of women in construction. By doing so, we contribute to a culture of respect, opportunity, and continuous growth—values that are at the core of CIC’s mission.
