The Spokane chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction is working to build on its 42 individual and company members.

Doing so could prove beneficial to construction and construction-related industries in the Inland Northwest, says chapter President Brea LaRue, a project engineer at Garco Construction Inc.

“There’s a lot of women out there who want to break into this and just don’t have the resources or the outlets to do that,” says LaRue. “It’s important for especially large contractors and groups like NAWIC to help foster that.”

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, NAWIC provides support, resources, and opportunities to women in the construction industry throughout its roughly 120 chapters nationwide.

Women represent a largely untapped talent pool that employers should look at to help meet labor demands, LaRue explains.

Women also bring a different perspective to the field, she says.

“I think having women in the industry brings in a new, different outlook on things, a new way of doing things,” says LaRue. “With the technology, the way we’re moving in the industry, I think having both a male and female viewpoint is very important.”

Less than 15% of the construction industry’s labor force consists of women, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

There’s still a lot of work to do, LaRue says, adding however that she has noticed some growth locally.

“I know there has been growth,” she says. “I see it across the board in Spokane. You’re definitely seeing more women in project management roles. You’re seeing superintendents.”

LaRue was named president of NAWIC’s Spokane chapter in September and will remain in that role for at least the majority of 2025.

While chapter growth is at the top of her priority list as president, LaRue says she also hopes to see more diversity among the types of professions represented in the organization.

“We have a lot of office personnel who are members and not a lot of site women,” says LaRue. “I would like to see a little more reaching out to those individuals and get them involved.”

The Spokane chapter has a membership committee that does outreach to recruit new members.

“We’re doing bi-monthly events to bring in different women,” says LaRue. “We’re reaching out to companies that may not be members but may have shown interest.”

NAWIC offers its members numerous networking and collaboration opportunities at events and meetings throughout the year.

“When we’re outside of NAWIC, we’re bidding against each other, but within NAWIC, we’re working together,” LaRue explains.

Member companies also benefit from networking opportunities.

“It’s great networking, especially for those smaller companies that come in and want to get their foot in the door with the bigger companies,” says LaRue. “I’ve seen a lot of that happen, where we meet each other and just hit it off, and then the next thing you know, they’re out there working on our job sites.”

In addition to Garco, other member organizations include Bouten Construction Co., Swinerton Builders, McKinstry Co., Mainstream Electric Inc., and Gold Seal Plumbing.

 

Having the support of a peer group like NAWIC is important for women in the construction industry, LaRue explains.

While she says Garco has been great about supporting LaRue throughout her career, challenges often come with being a woman in the male-dominated industry.

“When I show up to a site, I don’t have the same respect as my male peer would have,” she says.

NAWIC brings together people who have experienced similar difficulties, she says.

“We all come together, and we all have the same problems, we all have the same goals within the industry,” says LaRue. “It’s nice just to get together and be with those individuals.”

NAWIC’s Spokane chapter hosts and attends a variety of events each year, sometimes with chapters from other regions.

“We have forums where all different regions can get together,” says LaRue. “It’s just a really good way to network and interact with like-minded individuals.”

In December, the chapter hosted a fundraiser for Transitions, a nonprofit that works to end homelessness for women and children in Spokane.

“We always try to do some kind of fundraiser that benefits a local charity,” says LaRue.

Some of the volunteer work the organization does includes hands-on training.

“We built flower boxes last year, and then we donated them to nonprofit organizations around Spokane,” LaRue says.

The chapter’s biggest event each year is a golf tournament, which usually occurs in September.

“That’s our biggest moneymaker that funds all of our activities throughout the year,” says LaRue.

Educational opportunities, like leadership and safety training, for example, are available to members through NAWIC’s national website, she adds.

The organization also participates in the nationally recognized Women in Construction Week each March.

“It’s a whole weeklong celebration of women in the industry, and all the events are free for the week,” says LaRue.

LaRue has been involved with NAWIC for about 10 years, including eight with the Spokane chapter. She says she hopes to serve two terms as president—the maximum number of terms allowed. Elections are held each year.

NAWIC was founded in 1953 by 16 women in Fort Worth, Texas. The Spokane chapter has been around for over 50 years.

“It’s very important that we continue to support the growth of women,” LaRue says.