Why More Women Belong in Heavy Civil Construction (And Not Just in the Office)

In 2025, less than 12% of the workforce in heavy civil construction is made up of women and only 4% in the field. To put that underrepresentation in perspective, 51% of the general workforce is made up of women, so we have a long way to go. And here’s the kicker: the vast majority of those women are parked at the front desk, answering phones, filing invoices, or photoshopping site renderings in marketing. Respect to every role, but if you think women can’t run an excavator, estimate a multi-million dollar drainage job, or orchestrate a 10-crew shift change during a supply chain shortage… you’re not paying attention. To put that underrepresentation in perspective, 51% of the general workforce is made up of women, so we have a long way to go. And here’s the kicker: the vast majority of those women are parked at the front desk, answering phones, filing invoices, or photoshopping site renderings in marketing. Respect to every role, but if you think women can’t run an excavator, estimate a multi-million dollar drainage job, or orchestrate a 10-crew shift change during a supply chain shortage… you’re not paying attention.

This isn’t an ask for a seat at the table but for a reimagining of opportunity across the spectrum.

A common argument I’ve heard is that women aren’t suited for construction because they lack the same physical strength or size as men. But in today’s industry, that notion is increasingly outdated. With the rise of modern tools, automation, robotics, and ergonomic equipment, the physical demands of many tasks have been significantly reduced, and in many cases, entirely eliminated. These innovations don’t just level the playing field; they create smarter, safer, and more efficient ways of working for everyone. The future of construction isn’t about brute force, it’s about skill, strategy, and smarts.

Construction Is Not Plan Z for Women

Let’s get real: most girls aren’t told, “You’d make a killer field engineer someday.” Nope. The idea of a woman running a dispatch plant or bidding out a bridge rarely makes it to career day.

Instead, it’s:

• “You’re so friendly—you’re perfect for HR.”
• “You’re creative—ever thought about marketing?”
• “You’re so organized—you’d be a great assistant.”

Yes. We are all that. And guess what, sooo much more!

‍We Don’t Need to Prove We Can…We Need to Be Seen Already Doing‍

We’re not in this industry to cosplay in hard hats. We’re here because there is nothing we can’t and shouldn’t be doing, in the field and the C-suite.

Let’s run the numbers AND the equipment.

Women in Heavy Civil:

• Machine operators? Women have significantly lower accident rates, better maintenance reporting, and greater fuel efficiency per operating hour.

• Estimating + job management? Studies show women outperform on multitasking, accuracy, and client communication aaaand our spreadsheets are cleaner than the finish grade on a taxiway.

• Leadership? Companies with women CEOs don’t just meet expectations, they outperform. One McKinsey study showed firms with more women in leadership roles saw higher profitability, better retention, and improved team engagement. The ROI is literal.

Still think we don’t belong in civil? You’ve clearly never seen a woman run a schedule like it’s a Sunday grocery list.

We’re Not Just Qualified—We’re the Upgrade

Let’s stop treating women on a job site like a novelty.

There’s nothing novel about our tenacity, discipline, and capabilities.

• We want women running the machines.
• We want women calculating takeoffs and negotiating bid contracts.
• We want women running crews, setting production targets, and managing multi-phase jobs.
• And yes, WE WANT WOMEN LEADING CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES.

Because they already are. Quietly. Relentlessly. In family businesses, on road crews, and in infrastructure teams across the country. The only thing missing is more of them.

Ante Up and Give Her a Shot

Look, I’ve got women in my own family who:

• Pave roads.

• Fly combat helicopters.

• Shoe horses.

• Fix what’s broken without waiting for permission.

So no, I'm not here to ask “can we?”

I’m here to say watch us, as I have watched my mom, sisters, and aunties my whole life.

And if you’re building an industry and you’re not creating space for women to thrive, you better check the engineering and the stats.

If all of this isn’t reason enough, let’s not forget: we don’t even have enough men to fill the roles already open, let alone the ones coming soon. Widen the tent. The industry doesn’t just need women. It requires more people, period. Embrace this incredible, ready-to-work part of the workforce. Let’s stop waiting for reinforcements and start building with the ones already here.

It’s Past Time to Make This a Place for Daughters and Not Just Sons

We don’t want our daughters to inherit a construction industry that only tolerates them; we want one that seeks them out, equips them, and champions them all the way to the top. 

That means:

• Us women who are already here showing and speaking up about the opportunities and industry.
• Job site policies that protect dignity.
• Leadership that promotes based on results. 
• Mentorship that doesn’t involve a “good luck, sweetheart” and a clipboard.

Hey ladies…yeah you…let’s pour that foundation and then lead the whole damn crew 🙌🏼