We all came from them, we all love them, and, odds are, we all work with them. This year, on March 8, “we’re Celebrating International Women’s Day and embracing the call to Accelerate Action — ensuring that women are not just welcomed, but empowered in every role across our industry. Whether in the boardroom, behind the controls of heavy equipment, on-site with a hammer, or shaping projects with a calculator, women belong in all spaces where our communities are built,” said President of Cantiro Communities and BILD Edmonton Metro’s Board Chair, Katrina Rowe.

Paving the Way in a Tough Industry

Michelle Hoover, Owner of Backwards Hat Studio and consultant at Habitat Studio, knows this struggle firsthand. After graduating from NAIT in architectural technology in 1989, she quickly realized where she fit into the industry. “Originally, I wanted to be an interior designer, but once I was there, I discovered that I was actually much stronger on the structural side of it, so I focused on architecture,” she said.

She knew she had a passion from a very young age, sparking when she found a hobby in moving around bedroom furniture in junior high. “I always had a pad of graph paper with me,” she joked. “It was a passion of mine since I was young.”

“In the early 90s, we (women) had to fight to keep our jobs. When I started out, women in construction were not accepted. Everybody thought we were just interior designers.”

Throughout her experience entering the workforce as a young woman, she encountered many hardships. “I had many people yell at me on the phone, just because they thought they could, and there were lots of times where I was the only woman around, so people would often walk into the office and naturally assume I was the secretary. So, I had to prove myself a lot…I had to fight tooth and nail to be noticed.”

Despite the challenges, she persisted, worked hard, and built a successful career, all while ensuring that other women entering the field had guidance.

Nicole Linman, Cantiro’s Senior Organizational Health and Safety Advisor, was just 18 years old when she lost her best friend on a worksite accident. It was this event that made her realize how important safety is in the industry.

Determined to make a difference and improve upon standards in safety practices, she started in residential construction as a construction administrator and quickly fell in love with the field. Today, she plays a key role in shaping safety protocols and advocating for worker protection.

“Our industry has evolved over the last generation and continues to do so, welcoming more women into all types of roles and breaking through traditional gender stereotypes,” said Rowe.

Have a Role Model, Be a Role Model

Hoover never had a role model when first entering the industry, “but now, I have been able to mentor some women and be in a role model position myself,” she said. She mentioned that even something as simple as grabbing lunch with another woman in the field can make a difference. “Sometimes you just need to vent and know that your struggles are real and universal.”

Linman echoed the sentiment by explaining that women in safety are still not always seen as “typical” on a jobsite. “But it’s the women that I work with day to day who are really pushing us forward,” she said.

Through her roles as a teacher, visiting elementary schools, she’s been able to talk to grade 4 and 5 students about construction and women in industry. “I show them that it’s great to be a woman in construction, and I try to tell the younger girls that if they like to pick up a hammer, then do it!” she added. “There’s nothing wrong or weird about that.”

In her role at Cantiro, she’s also tried to be a role model to others, teaching and helping younger women grow in their careers. “I do everything I can to inspire younger safety professionals.”

At home, she relays that same information to her four children. “I’ve actually gotten the reputation of a “momma bear” at work,” she admitted, stating that her mothering nature can sometimes bleed into her work life.

When it comes to becoming a role model, it often starts outside of the workplace. “I always try to be a role model to my own kids – especially my two young sons,” Linman added. “We’ll drive by construction sites together and I’ll show my boys just how normal it is to have women there, so they can grow up without any assumptions or expectations of the industry.”

Change Is on the Rise

“It was 2003, and being in the industry at that time, it was a very hard time to get our voices heard and be understood. But now, I can actually see it changing.”

“It’s really exploded in the last 10 years and there have been a lot of women who are forging forward and growing,” she said. “Some women still feel marginalized, but I try to help them by saying it has nothing to do with you, it’s to do with the other people. So just do the best you can and let that speak volumes. When you’re valuable you’re valuable – regardless of your gender.”

By highlighting the achievements of women, we can inspire the next generation. “Recognizing and supporting women in our field isn’t just the right thing to do — it strengthens our teams, enhances our communities, and drives the future of our industry forward,” said Rowe.

Moving Forward, Faster

International Women’s Day is more than just a celebration; it’s a call to action. It’s a chance to connect with other women, appreciate their contributions, and reflect on opportunities for change.  “I think it’s important for younger women coming up in the industry to know that we are taking one day out of 365 just to celebrate you,” said Hoover.

The industry has grown and changed so much, but the work doesn’t end there. “We used to never be welcomed on site. It was just a different type of world,” said Linman. “So, even though that’s changed a lot, we still have a ways to go.”

For Hoover, the goal is clear: a future where gender is no longer a barrier. “There will always be people holding onto masculine identities,” she said. “I just hope that by the time my granddaughter is in the working industry one day that all this stuff will be behind her.”

Maybe one day we won’t have to have women’s day because every day will be women’s day, but until then, “be proud of the work you’re doing, be open to new ideas, and strive to do your best, and, at the very least you’ll have self-satisfaction,” Hoover said. “Walk in, do your thing, and be confident in what you have to say.”

And the sentiment was supported by Rowe and Linman as well.

“You belong here,” said Rowe. “Whether you see yourself in leadership, on a job site, in design, sales, or any other role, there is a place for you. Be confident in your abilities, ask questions, and seek out mentors. Embrace the grind, and push through discomfort; that’s where real growth happens. And, most importantly, don’t let being a woman —or any challenge— become an excuse. Everyone faces obstacles, but the key is to focus on what you can control.”

“If I could give one piece of advice to women entering the industry, it would be: don’t ever give up. Our industry is hard, but if anything, it teaches you that you gotta keep going. If the course changes, that’s okay. Just keep on at it and remember that it’s always okay to fail,” said Linman. “Don’t be afraid to take charge and fully immerse yourself in your work.”

Both BILD Edmonton Metro’s Women Committee and CHBA National’s Women in Residential Council are proof of change in the industry. “The future of our industry depends on fresh perspectives. Your (women’s) voices, skills, and ideas are needed now more than ever,” added Rowe.

As an organization, creating space for new opportunities and inclusiveness is key. “True progress happens when we break barriers, champion inclusivity, and create pathways for the next generation of leaders, builders, and innovators.”

Written by Payton Phillips

BILD Edmonton Metro’s women staff members: