NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION

LANSING, MICHIGAN – CHAPTER NO. 177

 

CHAPTER HISTORY

 

FEBRUARY 20, 1971 – FEBRUARY 21, 2010

Celebrating 39 Years

 

 

 

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) originally began as Women in Construction of Fort Worth. Sixteen women working in the construction industry founded the organization in 1953. Knowing that women represented only a small fraction of the construction industry, the founders organized to create a support network. Women in Construction of Fort Worth was so successful that it gained its national charter in 1955 and became the National Association of Women in Construction.

 

In 1970, the national organization developed regions, and set a goal to add 21 new chapters in the year ahead, using the slogan “21 in 71”. The Director of Region 4 at the time, Helen K. Cauffman of South Bend, IN responded to an inquiry by Rev Hopkins, executive secretary of Builders Exchange of Greater Lansing. Rev had heard of NAWIC, and wanted to start a Lansing, Michigan chapter. He found two progressive thinking men in Alton Granger, Granger Construction and Hal Bell, AGC Michigan. They notified the women they knew in construction and held a meeting on October 21, 1970 to get the ball rolling toward chartering the Lansing, Michigan Chapter of NAWIC.

 

NAWIC, Lansing Chapter No. 177 was the first chapter to charter in 1971, the first chapter to charter in the state of Michigan, and the first chapter to be chartered by Region 4 under the Regional Chartering Plan. The Chartering ceremonies were held at the Olds Plaza Hotel, in the Michigan Room, on Saturday, February 20, 1971; the dinner cost was only $7.00 and the entree was beef – not chicken! There were 126 people in attendance, including NAWIC members from several states in Region 4. Mayor Gerald Graves, of Lansing, was the guest speaker – a tradition that we currently maintain. The Lansing Chapter chartering was featured in the NAWIC Image, The State Journal, and the Ingham County News. One of the articles was entitled, “Construction Gals Charter Chapter,” and the women were identified in the article as “Mrs. Michael J. Friedrich of Payne Rosso Company, president; Mrs. Leahman J. Jacobs of Granger Construction, vice president…”

 

We prefer to identify the original Board as:

 

Officers

 

President, Kathleen Friedrich, Payne Rosso Company

Vice President, Phyllis S. Jacobs, Granger Construction Co.

Secretary, Carleen E. Hallman, Builders Exchange of Greater Lansing

Treasurer, Barbara J. Ernst, Ernst Electric Company

Board of Directors

 

Lauralee W. Adams, Foster-Schermerhorn-Barnes

Josephine Ebright, Dard, Inc.

Sandra J. Fisher, Charles Featherly Construction Company

Jean F. Franke, Spartan Asphalt Paving Company

Madalyn Gerstler, Sterling Doorware Company

Sharon Kay Smith, Payne-Rosso Comp

 

As I reviewed many scrapbook articles, one name and smiling face kept recurring during the first two years (1971 and 1972). That is the name of Carleen Hallman. Carleen served as the original chapter secretary, she was chairman of the Extension Committee, Scrapbook & Roster Editor, Historian and Chairman of the Scholarship Committee. She was also the original chairperson of the “Friends of the Zoo” committee. NAWIC participated in a program to get construction companies to donate materials for various construction projects at the Potter Park Zoo. Michigan Contractor & Builder ran an article in the March 18, 1972 issue to feature the NAWIC Lansing Chapter “Bosses Night.” Carleen was the recipient of the first WIC of the Year award in February 1972. Rev Hopkins was the original “Boss of the Year,” he was issued a crown and a gift for enthusiastically supporting the chapter.

 

On May 14, 1972, Carleen Hallman, at age 20, was on a private plane with three friends when it crashed about 15 minutes after takeoff. One of the twin engines had failed, and the fuel tanks exploded when the plane hit the ground. NAWIC lost a true friend and a hard worker on that day. Her family requested memorials to be made to a scholarship fund in the National Association of Women in Construction. Our chapter has given approximately $20,000 to students in construction related curriculum since the establishment of the Carleen Hallman Scholarship Fund.

 

 

In order to cover thirty years in five to seven minutes, I really should skip a couple of decades, but I really must stop at September 10, 1975. That was the day The State Journal featured a Charter Member, Marie Wilkinson, in an article about Women In Construction Week. At least the 1975 paper did reveal her full name, along with a wonderful article expressing her strong attributes when it comes to knowing construction. The article featured a lovely picture of Marie wearing a nice suit with a double strand of pearls, but at the same time, she has a look on her face that says, “I know what I’m doing, and don’t even try to mess with me!” Marie explained to the reporter that the purpose of NAWIC is “to bring together women who work in various phases of what had always been considered a ‘man’s field’ . . . to encourage cooperation and a better understanding and to promote fellowship and goodwill among members.” These words hold true today.

 

Lansing certainly inspired Michigan chapters to form. The Detroit Chapter soon followed (#183), then Grand Rapids (#194), then in 1974, Lansing sponsored Flint Chapter 202 with the help of Chapter President Jean Banister and Extension Committee Chairman, Sandy Fisher. Kalamazoo/Battle Creek (#302) sponsored by Grand Rapids Chapter. January 21, 1993 Lansing Chapter sponsored the Chartering of The Michigan State Women Students in Construction. Dr. Norma Anderson, NAWIC Member and MSU Faculty, was a moving force in chartering this chapter. Kelly Kraft was the first president of the student chapter.

 

May 2, 1983 Lansing, MI Chapter #177 – National Association of Women In Construction filed articles of incorporation with the Michigan Department of Commerce.

 

On November 19, 1986 NAWIC participated in the dedication ceremony for a bronze replica of the State seal in front of the Capitol Building. NAWIC was key in getting over 40 construction related firms to contribute approximately $10,000 to the project.

 

Fall of 1988, Lansing Chapter hosted the Fall Planning Conference right here at the Sheraton. Our own Geri Johnson presented a workshop/film on doors & hardware.

 

Lansing Chapter continues to be active in Design/Drafting Competition. The first year that National held the contest (1992-93), the Lansing area winner, Henry Schultz, Jr. won at both the Regional and National level of the competition. Lansing continues to participate in the contest every year.

 

The December 1994 issue of the NAWIC Image featured our very own member, Cheryl Hughes, on the cover, and a thorough article about Cheryl’s business that includes her husband and three sons. They have been through some low points, but their strong family ties and faith kept them going to form a very successful road construction business. The U.S. Dept of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration presented Cheryl with WBE of the Year Award in 1994.

 

April 1995 Lansing successfully hosted the Region Four Forum 1995. Our Chapter really pulled together to host a very educational and entertaining conference for our five-state region. Cheryl Hughes gave a very inspirational talk at the Saturday luncheon at the Forum.

 

We never hesitate to get involved with projects that require a lot of work. Including a Habitat for Humanity project “First Ladies Build” blitz build house. Many of us worked at getting material and cash donations from contractors, then as laborers at the house, and some on hospitality duty feeding the workers. We also had a special Chapter project, with the help of Martin Block donating materials, we built a paver block patio at the back of the house. According to our crew, and the guys at Martin Block, it is really beautiful!

 

 

The Lansing Chapter of NAWIC has remained active throughout the entire 30-year period. Our membership numbers have been as high as 40, but have remained closer to the original 29 members that we began the chapter with. Many women new to the construction industry join NAWIC to familiarize themselves with various areas of construction, including the strange lingo and all the acronyms. It is a great atmosphere to develop self-confidence and to learn and practice leadership skills. As members gain the confidence to succeed in non-traditional jobs, they often move on to organizations that are formed for specific trades. As most women are juggling career, family, professional and community obligations, we understand that some of our turnover in membership can be attributed to the success of our members in other areas of their lives. We always have a strong core membership that welcomes “new blood” each year and gives encouragement to those who move on to other things.