The week of March 1-7, 2026, serves as a national recognition of the vital contributions made by Women in Construction (WIC). While the first WIC Week was proclaimed in September 1960 by Amarillo Mayor A.F. Madison, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) later moved the celebration to March to align with International Women’s Day. This annual tradition has been celebrated officially by NAWIC members since 1998.
WIC Week is more than a celebration; it is a movement to build awareness. Although the percentage of women in construction has sat near 11.2% since the 1970s, the industry is finally seeing an upward trend. What is shifting most dramatically are the roles women hold; more senior leadership positions on major construction projects—across both vertical and horizontal sectors—are now being led by women.
Below, meet three NAWIC members who are advocating for construction as a premier career path for women.
- President/CEO, Brown Construction Collective Plus, LLC
- NAWIC National President, 2025 - 2026
- Member, NAWIC Lansing, Michigan, chapter
- Commissioner, Michigan Transportation Commission
- Vice Chair, Michigan Apprenticeship Steering Committee, Inc.
"Immigrant proud, I moved to this country at the age of two with my student parents who believed in the hope and promise of an America that valued the talent and grit of the people who invested in her success," says Rita Brown. Detroit, Michigan, has been her home ever since, and she now routinely drives on a street named in her parents' honor and serves on boards that invest in the students, industry, and safety they supported.
Brown built her career on problem-solving and an openness to innovation. Having grown up with steel detailing, engineering, and entrepreneurship, she spent her holidays and summers at the company her father ultimately owned—a man who proved his worth by starting off working for free. "Steel and business are second nature to me," she notes. After learning to draw "old school," she integrated innovative technology that allowed her small company to remain lithe and responsive. Her resilience was tested during the 2008 market crash, which required a complete recalibration that ultimately worked.
Her appointment as Transportation Commissioner for the State of Michigan by Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a point of achievement she attributes largely to her volunteerism with NAWIC. A 20-year member of the organization, Brown views her path to National President as a privilege to amplify the value and talent of women in the industry.
Her Advice
Do not be daunted by adversity — it’s opportunity. Be diligent in preparation but give and require grace. Progress is the point, not perfection. Tool up, gear up, level up, and meet the moment with integrity, clarity of vision, and the ability to be responsive. Be excited, not afraid. Share more and give back — it always comes back to you if you do it with generosity of spirit and always know your worth.
- Partner, Shipman & Goodwin, LLP, Construction Litigation
- NAWIC National Legislative Co-Chair
- Member, NAWIC Boston, Massachusetts, chapter
Jes Murphy graduated toward the top of her class from Suffolk University Law School in 2005. While she worked across all major departments during her first year of legal work, she quickly recognized a love for litigation. As the daughter of a contractor, she found herself naturally drawn to construction cases involving non-payment, quality disputes, or compliance issues.
"I especially enjoy working for contractors that remind me of my dad—guys who are on the job site daily, working hard and doing a great job with their craft," Murphy says. Over the past 20 years, she has represented municipalities, general contractors, and specialty subcontractors alike. She thrives on helping clients resolve disputes that affect core operations and profitability, delivering practical guidance to prevent issues from escalating into costly litigation.
A 13-year member of NAWIC, Murphy has served as a chapter President twice and currently chairs the National Legislative Industry Issues Committee.
Her Advice
Ask questions until you feel comfortable with the answers and that you understand it all. There are a lot of ways to get your questions answered. Sometimes it’s asking at work, researching the information yourself, or asking someone else who knows. That last part is where NAWIC excels — mentorship, support, and education for younger women in construction. Too often, women don’t want to seem like they don’t know something and feel like asking questions will highlight their inexperience or show they are not up to the task. That is not true.
| Your local Wirtgen America dealer |
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| Beard Equipment Co - AL |
| Tractor & Equipment |
Often times, it’s an incorrect assumption that the process is correct just because it’s always been done that way. Things change and truly there’s no guarantee that it was done correctly in the first place. As a construction litigation lawyer, I advise all parties to learn about the back of the house (the entire picture) because it doesn’t matter how good you are at your job if you cannot get paid for it because it falls short of contract requirements.
- Vice President of Operations, Methuen Construction Co., Inc.
- NAWIC Granite State Chapter, 2025-2026 Vice President
- Member, NAWIC Granite State Chapter, New Hampshire
Michelle Trodella has over 20 years of experience in construction, with the last decade focused on process improvement and strategic planning. She began her professional journey in a combination of residential home improvements, mechanical contracting, and the legal field as a paralegal.
Joining Methuen Construction in 2015 allowed her to bridge her legal knowledge with industry insight. Since then, she has held multiple positions, becoming Vice President of Business Operations in 2024. As the sole female on the senior leadership team, she is responsible for strategy development, resource alignment, and process excellence. She leads high-performing teams through legal risk, finance, and project administration.
"I firmly believe that leadership is built on resilience, adaptability, teamwork, and the confidence to say, ‘We got this!’" Trodella says. She is deeply passionate about strengthening the "construction bench" and supporting workforce development.
Her Advice
Channel your inner “Rosie the Riveter.” Do not hesitate to ask questions and seek guidance in areas you are not familiar with. Let your voice be heard by offering a solution, making a statement, or asking a question. ALL of us have the same value and impact as a contributing member.
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has nearly 6,000 members across 120 chapters. Over 90% of local chapters hold WIC Week events, ranging from job site tours and high school presentations to social media advocacy. For more information, visit www.nawic.org.
| Your local Iowa Mold Tooling Co Inc dealer |
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| Nichols Fleet Equipment |
WIC Week events can be found at www.nawic.org
