A Brief Review of a Few Remarkable Women Who Have Contributed to the Construction and AEC industry
Women have made significant contributions to various fields of human endeavor throughout history, but their stories are often overlooked or marginalized. One of the areas where women have faced many challenges and barriers is the construction and, more broadly, the AEC industry, which is traditionally dominated by men. In honor of Women in Construction week (March 4th to 9th) and Women in History Month (March) we celebrate a few of the women in history who have excelled in construction and/or shaped the AEC industry, by sharing their legacies.
EMILY ROEBLING – Construction of the Brooklyn Bridge – The chief engineer of Great East River Bridge (now known as the Brooklyn Bridge) was first John Roebling in 1867, and transferred to Washington A. Roebling in 1869. However, in 1872 Washington Roebling fell ill and his wife, Emily stepped in. The bridge opened in May of 1883, after fourteen years of construction, eleven of which Emily managed. Early on, Emily relayed information from her husband, Washington, to his assistants, and reported back to him on the progress of the work. She soon took it upon herself to study the technical issues, learning about strength of materials, stress analysis, cable construction and calculation of catenary curves, and developed an extensive knowledge of the engineering used in bridge building. For more information, read David McCullough’s book titled, ”The Great Bridge: the Epic Story of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge” where the author remarks “nowhere in the history of great undertakings is there anything comparable” to Roebling conducting the largest and most difficult engineering project ever “in absentia.”
Image Source: nyt.com
ANNE GERTRUDE GARRELL ADAMS, PE – The first women in the US to earn a Professional Engineering license – It happened in 1923, in the state of Indiana, where they had recently passed their Engineering Act in 1921. Ms. Adams worked as a civil and architectural engineer alongside her husband, Edwin Lee Adams.
The 16 Women who founded the National Association of Women in Construction – In 1953, a group of sixteen women who were working in the construction industry in/around Fort Worth Texas set out to make the idea of a community for working construction women with aspiration of success within the industry a reality. These sixteen women were: Alice Ashley, Ida Mae Bagby, Carolyn Balcomb, Sue Bowling, Margaret Bubar, Margaret Cleveland, Era Dunn, Doris Efird, Ronda Farrell, Hazel Floyd, Jimmie Blazier, Nina Ruth Jenkins, Ethel McKinney, Irene Moates, Mildred Tarter and Edna Mae Tucker. Doris Efird is said to be the one who first connected this group of women construction workers together; however, all sixteen are credited as the founders of what is now known as the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), the leading association for construction women in the nation.
Empowering Women in AEC: Shaping the Present and Future at VERTEX
In celebrating the spirit and achievements of women in construction and AEC history, we also recognize the remarkable women shaping our present and future at VERTEX. From our experts in the fields of engineering, environmental, and construction project advisory, women at VERTEX contribute across diverse fields within the AEC industry, challenging stereotypes and breaking barriers. As we honor the legacies of trailblazers like Emily Roebling, Anne Gertrude Garrell Adams, and the founding members of NAWIC, we salute the women who continue to make their mark, driving innovation, excellence, and inclusivity in every aspect of our work. Their dedication and expertise inspire us all, enriching our collective journey towards progress and equality.
To learn more about VERTEX’s Project Advisory services or to speak with a Construction Expert, call 888.298.5162 or submit an inquiry.
