Women in Construction Week 2026:
Level Up & Build Strong Communities, Careers and Futures

By AMANDA RODGERS

March 1-7 marks Women in Construction Week, a national celebration recognizing the women who are building our communities, strengthening our workforce and reshaping the construction industry.

The AGC of Missouri Women of STEEL (Seeking to Engage, Elevate and Lead) is proud to celebrate this week with purpose. Women of STEEL is open to women from all walks of life within the construction industry, from the C-suite to the office staff and the jobsite teams, offering a breadth of topics ranging from professional development to mentorship, achieving a work-life balance and more.

Why Women in Construction Week Matters

Construction is evolving. More women are stepping onto jobsites, leading teams, managing projects, running companies and shaping policy. Yet women still make up only about 11 percent of the construction workforce – and an even smaller percentage work in the skilled trades.

Women in Construction Week, founded by NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) in 1998, shines a spotlight on the women who are already making an impact while also opening doors for those who may not yet see construction as a path for themselves.

Visibility matters. Representation matters. But so does action.

The construction industry continues to face a significant workforce shortage. Welcoming, supporting and retaining women isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s essential for the future of our industry. Diverse teams strengthen safety, innovation, leadership and collaboration. When women succeed in construction, our entire industry succeeds.

Celebration with Purpose

At Women of STEEL, we believe this week should be more than a social media graphic that says, “We celebrate women.”

If we are going to celebrate this week, we must do it authentically.

That means:

• Talking to the women in our industry
• Listening to their experiences
• Understanding the barriers they face
• Committing to meaningful change that lasts beyond one week

Women in construction still face real challenges, from ill-fitting PPE and limited facilities on jobsites to childcare barriers and workplace culture concerns. Recognizing these realities is not about criticism. It’s about progress.

Women in Construction Week gives us a platform. What we do with it matters.

Here’s how Women of STEEL is supporting Women in Construction Week:

March 4: Cost Estimation + Bid Simulation
Women of STEEL is co-hosting a hands-on learning event with NAWIC, focusing on cost estimation and bid simulation. This event provides practical, skill-building experience and strengthens confidence in one of the most critical areas of construction.

March 6: All Women Construction Career Fair
Women of STEEL will participate in an All-Women Construction Career Fair. This event introduces students and job seekers to real opportunities in the trades, project management and leadership roles.

Recruitment is essential. Representation is powerful. But mentorship and access are what turn interest into careers.

Looking Ahead: Contractor Speak-Up Day April 15
AGCMO is inviting all Women of STEEL to participate in a Contractor Speak-Up Day at the Missouri Capitol on April 15. Advocacy is leadership. When women lend their voices to legislative conversations that impact our industry, they help shape the future of construction in Missouri.

She Deserves a Crown
Women in Construction Week is also a time to recognize the women already making an impact.

Women of STEEL created the crown t-shirt as a meaningful symbol of recognition. The crown design, filled with words that reflect strength, leadership and resilience, represents the dynamic women who wear it.

Not every achievement makes headlines, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be celebrated.

We invite AGCMO members to nominate a woman for a Women of STEEL crown t-shirt to recognize:

• Career or leadership achievements
• Promotions or professional milestones
• Industry or community recognition
• Personal milestones worth celebrating

Help us ensure no accomplishment goes unnoticed.

This Week Is a Starting Point, Not a Finish Line

Women in Construction Week is a moment to celebrate, but the work continues the other 51 weeks of the year.

Let’s build workplaces where:

• PPE fits
• Opportunities are accessible
• Voices are heard
• Leadership pathways are clear
• Recognition is consistent

Let’s level up and build strong communities, careers and futures – together.

For more information about how to get involved with the Women of STEEL, please contact Amanda Rodgers or Charlyce Ruth. 

Amanda Rodgers is assistant vice president of communications for the Associated General Contractors of Missouri.