70 Years of Advocacy: How Women Are Still Breaking Barriers in Construction

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Professional Women in Building (PWB) council has supported women in the construction industry for over 70 years. Founded in 1955 as the Women's Auxiliary, the group has grown into a key advocate for female builders and professionals. Despite progress in some areas, women still make up only a small fraction of leadership roles in the sector today. The organisation began in 1955 when the NAHB Women's Auxiliary was officially chartered. By 1974, it reached a milestone with the election of its first female builder as president. Two decades later, in 1994, PWB set a membership record and launched a national education program focused on environmental issues in housing. That same year, Barbie Wickman received recognition as NAHB's Outstanding Congressional Contact of the Year.

In 2014, PWB transitioned from an independent body to a fully integrated council within NAHB. The group continued its work, advocating for women in a field where representation remains low. By 2024, women accounted for 1.34 million workers in the US construction industry—just 11.2% of the total workforce. Most held roles in administration, management, or finance rather than on-site positions. Leadership gaps persist globally. In Germany, women occupy only 10.2% of leadership roles in construction, with the overall female share in the industry stagnating at around 14% for two decades. Nationally, the proportion of women in senior positions across all sectors dropped to 23.5% in 2026, the lowest in six years. No targeted initiatives by German or European construction bodies, such as the Hauptverband der Deutschen Bauindustrie, have been reported to address this trend. In the US, women hold just 18% of management roles in construction, highlighting ongoing challenges in gender parity.

NAHB PWB will mark its 70th anniversary in 2025, reflecting on decades of advocacy and progress. While the council has achieved key milestones, the construction industry still faces significant disparities in female representation. Current data shows slow growth in women's participation, particularly in leadership and technical roles.