Mount Pleasant Magazine May/June 2019

www.ChsWomenInBusiness.com | www.ChsWomenInRE.com WIB - 15 I n less than a year, the Palmetto Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) is already the largest and fastest-growing chapter in the South Atlantic Region. Over 70 women, many who live and work in Mount Pleasant, participate in this active group. NAWIC is a place where women in construction can find professional support, learn about development opportunities and be around like-minded individuals passionate about the industry. “We have to build a strong foundation to move forward,” said Janet Bates, president of the group and director of marketing and business development at CF Evans Construction. “One of NAWIC’s goals is to educate women about the opportunities in the construction industry. In addition to working on job sites, women can excel in sales, marketing, human resources and project- management positions.” Only 1.3 percent of the entire female workforce in the U.S. works in the construction industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the over 10 million workers in construction, only 9.1 percent of them are women, including on-site, administrative and management positions. Bates and the local chapter are on a quest to change BY TONYA MCGUE Laying a Foundation for Growth Local Women in Construction Lead the Way for More Women to Enter the Field WIC on a tour of The Grove at Carolina Park. Photos courtesy of Women in Construction.