Description

Nationally, women now represent 11.2% of the construction workforce, the highest share in two decades, with approximately 1.34 million women employed in the field as of 2024 — a 45% increase over the past ten years but still well below other industry averages. 

And yet, with the construction industry projected to need nearly 499,000 new workers nationally in 2026, the imperative to recruit, retain, and advance women is not simply a matter of equity — it is an economic and operational necessity.

Here in the Philadelphia region, that momentum is unmistakable. Professional Women in Construction (PWC) Philadelphia Chapter has been instrumental in elevating women across the architecture, engineering, and construction landscape: with rich programming of events, storytelling, PWC's annual Student Recognition Program, emerging leadership mentorship, and strong community building.  

The good news is that the industry is responding: according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO-23-106320), construction has the smallest gender pay gap of any industry, with women earning 93 cents on the dollar — and for construction managers specifically, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that gap has narrowed even further, with women earning 98.7% of what their male counterparts earn as of 2024. Leadership pathways are widening in ways that would have been unimaginable a generation ago.

It is in that spirit of progress, purpose, and possibility that we are proud to announce our upcoming week of events and activities — designed to honor the women who are building our region's future, one project at a time.

What's Happening This Week:

Share Your Story:

• Share your story and win a chance for a PWC Philadelphia embroidered sweatshirt
• We will feature your quotes, photos, and stories on our website and our infohub.

Tuesday, March 3: 

Empowering Workshop: "Who's Empowering Philly?"

Thursday, March 5:

Women in Construction Celebration 2026: PWC/AMFP Joint Happy Hour 

Thursday, March 5:

Igniting Collaboration in Construction - A PWC Panel Event at Drexel University

We are so grateful to our sponsors for making this event possible!