Keys to the future: Women in Construction Week standing strong first week of March

Malia Riggs

Elmore Autauga News

The National Women in Construction Week, or WIC Week, within the Montgomery area will be held the first week in March, March 3rd-9th. National Women in in Construction, or NAWIC, is a  national organization that supports, educates and celebrates women in construction throughout the U.S.

This year’s theme is “Keys to the Future,” according to their website wicweek.org. “Keys to the Future” celebrates the strength and knowledge of women and the vital role they play in shaping the future of the construction industry.

“It’s a community of ladies building each other up, encouraging each other, and even though we all work in various male dominated fields under the different umbrellas of construction, doing different things, there’s a camaraderie there. We bounce ideas off of each other and support each other where we may not see that support in our day-to-day operations,” Brittany Batrez, Operations Manager and Co-owner of Absolute Termite & Pest Control Services said.

Batrez  has been a member of NAWIC for over four years and stated this event is open to any woman within a construction related field.

In the Montgomery area, WIC Week starts with a kickoff event in partnership with the Aniah’s Heart Foundation at 2660 Eastchase Lane in Montgomery, the Lakeview Center (Goodwyn Mills Cawood). With hors d’oeuvres, drinks and a self defense demonstration from Anaiah’s Heart.

“It’s just an encouraging and empowering week and safety is a huge component for women in construction, because a lot of times we are in male dominated fields or job sites, and knowing how to properly defend ourselves not only helps our safety but our peace of mind,” Batrez said.

During the event, all proceeds will also go to the Anaih’s Heart Foundation.

“I think sometimes we as women can get intimidated when we’re the only woman sitting at that table with a bunch of males, and oftentimes they’ve grown up around that specific career path. But we, as women, have a lot to offer. There’s a lot about us that can benefit these male dominated fields if we do not let the fact that we’re the only woman there intimidate us. Know yourself, and know that you do have what it takes,” Batrez said.

Other events will commence throughout the week, and the festivities will end with a WIC Week brunch, Keys to the Past, Present and Future, Saturday March 9th at 11 a.m. at the Jeanette Barrett Civic Room, 297 Wharf Street in Wetumpka.