I entered construction with passion, determination, and a clear goal to succeed in the construction industry: to be respected for the quality of my work. And while I have built a career I am proud of, it has not come without a cost. Being a woman in construction still means navigating a minefield of unspoken biases, double standards, and systemic disadvantage in an uneven playing field.
Unlike many of my male colleagues, I have faced scepticism regarding my competence. I have had to prove myself over and over again, and not just at the start of my career with clients, with other professionals, and in meetings my skills have often been second guessed; I have had to earn trust from my male counterparts. The main assumption by many clients (both male and female) is that I do not know what I am talking about, and/or they want clarification from a male. In the workplace a female is still often seen as someone who is there to take instruction from males and provide administrative support
Even now, women make up such a small percentage of the construction workforce. I have often been the only woman on a site, in meetings, or in leadership rooms. The camaraderie that many men find flowing naturally in these spaces often eludes us, not by lack of effort, but because we are not always welcomed in the same way, I can arrive to a site/meeting room and the mood will change, and the conversation will stop.
Men in the industry are often praised for being dedicated when they stay late or travel frequently. For women, especially mothers, those same demands can bring judgment or guilt. We are often viewed as the weaker sex or unreliable because we have children at home or in school, and even those of childbearing age face challenges. There is an unspoken expectation that we should excel professionally while carrying the heavier share of family responsibilities, when we cannot, we are made to feel like we are falling short on both fronts.
I have dealt with comments that would never be said to a man. From being called sweetheart or love on site and on telephone calls, to inappropriate jokes, the casual sexism still lingers. Sometimes it is blatant; other times it is wrapped in “banter” or as a statement that I am supposed to accept as a backhanded compliment. Either way, it undermines your confidence and sense of belonging.
So Why Stay?
Because despite it all, I believe in the work I do. I believe that women do have a place in this industry. I have in the past mentored younger men and women coming up behind me, and I believe there are gradual changes being made.
The challenges are real, but so is female resilience. After 20 years, I am still here building, leading, and speaking up. And I hope that by sharing this, I can help others feel seen and push the industry to be better for the next generation. I still believe in the value women bring to this industry, because the next generation should not have to survive what many of us endured, just to earn a seat at the table, they should be a part of the industry knowing they belong and will be heard.
Working at 2 Counties Construction has been a turning point in my journey, not because the challenges of being a woman in construction vanish, but because I have found a workplace that actively pushes against them. At 2CC, the focus is firmly on competence, accountability and respect. The culture rewards results, not gender. I have been trusted to lead, to make decisions, and to challenge the status quo. My experience and insight are not just heard, they are valued, that in itself is a powerful shift.
Importantly, 2CC supports balance, understanding that life outside of work is not a weakness but a reality and flexibility and empathy are not optional extras, but vital to building a resilient team. It is a place where a person can lead without having to fit a mould.