The Journey & Success of Women in Construction By Joe Kourieh
O
f the roughly 10 million people working in the construction industry nationwide, only about 10 percent of them are women, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but this number is on the rise. Industry veterans agree that over the past few decades, women have risen to prominence in what was once considered a “boy’s club,” emboldened by social evolution, new trends in technology and, perhaps most importantly, support from one another. Though they have all experienced the same trends, every woman’s journey in the industry is unique, and all across Massachusetts, women continue to confront the challenges of lingering inequality in their own individual style. We talked to a number of these women, who reflected on what it’s taken to make a name in construction, and what it will take to move the industry forward from here.
Susan Mailman As the fourth generation owner of her family’s company, Coghlin Electrical Contractors, based in Worcester, Susan Mailman knows how instrumental a family firm can be in bringing young women into subcontracting and the construction industry, where she says daughters are now beginning to consider the possibility of a career. Mailman’s early work at a bank allowed her to utilize accounting and financial skills in an operational role at Coghlin. Though during that time she never imagined running the company, a steady regimen of hard work made her a natural fit. The resources now available to young people have resulted in a “flurry of activity” to diversify the industry, according to Mailman, but she says there is more work to be done. “Looking at the entire educational spectrum, we’re trying to broaden our understanding of what is available and what can be done,” said Mailman. As president-elect of the Associ16
Spring 2017
ated Subcontractors of Massachusetts, she plans to advocate for professional and leadership development in the realm of public policy. “We’ve got to be concerted about creating opportunities to grow trade and technical skills,” she said. Mailman cited certified apprentice programs, which are available from union contractors such as Coghlin, as well as educational opportunities outside of unions and from the state. She said this is especially important in Gateway Cities, where skilled positions often go unfilled. Women and minorities also ought to be a priority, she said. “There’s a definite role for diversity in the construction industry, and we should all be more thoughtful about promoting it,” she said. “If women try to help each other, these opportunities will be known, and some will take advantage.” “Bring a friend,” she added. “We have strength in numbers.”
Leslie Carrio For Leslie Carrio, the daughter of the owner of DePaoli Mosaic Co. – by that time a second-generation familyowned firm more than a century old – growing up in the construction industry was a family affair, but by no means a sure bet for a career. “My father didn’t have any boys,” she said, which made her the heir apparent. Although she was “not groomed to inherit the business” and didn’t become active in the family firm until she was already active in the job market, she was able to keep a foot in the door as “the boss’ kid” long enough to be mentored into proficiency. But proficiency was no shield against sexism. Though her company was “ahead of the curve” in welcoming female employees, the industry was not. Carrio had to face down belittling industry veterans, including one clerk of works who put her through an “outrageous” lecture on why women did not belong in construction.