Image features Heather and her daughter, Cassidy, a recent graduate of Step Up for Women Construction.
How did you start your career in construction?
I’ve been doing construction since I was thirteen years old. My grandfather taught me how to weld, and together we built a boat. I was also influenced by my mom who was comfortable taking on traditionally male tasks. So, you could say my family upbringing had a lot to do with my decision.
Also, I enjoy work that I can watch from start to finish. It’s rewarding to look at a completed project and say, “I did that from the ground up.”
I also love doing things people say women can’t or shouldn’t do. There aren’t a lot of women in the field, so it’s fun to go out there and show that women can get the job done.
How many years have you worked in construction?
I have about twenty-five years of experience in the field. There were times when I briefly had other jobs like working at Walmart when construction work slowed down, but construction has always been what I wanted to do.
Can you tell me about a memorable project from your many years in construction?
I worked on a crew that fixed the floodwall in Huntington, and we were working about 30 feet down on the bank of the Ohio River, so we were always fighting the water. That’s where I learned a lot of what I do now. The experience helped me become a foreman, and soon I’ll be the first female superintendent at Orders Construction where I work.
What is a past project that gave you a sense of pride?
I’m really proud of what I’m doing right now. It’s my first solo job. We’ve sent off tanks for a pouring room, and we were able to wrap up the job in about three months, so it’s going great.
What advice would you give to other women who want to break into the trades?
Never doubt yourself. Get up and work circles around these guys. Don’t question yourself because you are a woman. You are more capable than you know.
Do you think WV Women Work’s Step Up program would have helped a woman like you when you started your career in construction?
Absolutely! It would have given me the knowledge and hands-on experience of things that I still haven’t tried yet. My daughter just completed the program, and she probably knows more than me about certain aspects of construction because I haven’t encountered some of those concepts on the job before. Step Up exposes students to a lot of different fields so they can learn about all the available options.
Interview conducted, transcribed, and written by Marlynda Arnett, Program Innovation Leader for West Virginia Women Work.
