Building confidence in women builds Alaska: celebrating 40 years in Alaska.

• Author: Sharpe, Margaret
• Position: SPECIAL SECTION: Building Alaska

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Membership has its privileges: A true statement for the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). For the Alaska chapter, those privileges extend beyond the membership. The core purpose of the association is to enhance the success of women in construction through education, networking, mentoring, leadership, and community involvement. For the past forty years, the byproduct has radiated throughout the industry and community.

Tamie Taylor, director of operations at Bering Sea Group, has been a member since 1992 and served as board member, chapter president, and even national president in 2007/2008. "The purpose is to provide a comfortable atmosphere for women to be able to learn about the industry, and to become better employees and more-informed coworkers for the industry." Taylor points out that the goal is not only about women, it's about promoting the business of construction. "We want to enhance the success of women, but many times we do that through helping the whole community, like our involvement in Habitat for Humanity and our scholarships for both men and women."

NAWIC veteran Joyce Frostad, member since 1978, was president of the Anchorage Chapter in 1982 when she worked for a mechanical contractor. She is currently the business manager, job cost controller, and corporate secretary/treasurer for Neeser Construction, Inc. "NAWIC is a wonderful organization for education, networking, and confidence building of its members. These qualities are invaluable to employers." Frostad explains how NAWIC enhances relationships among construction companies. "The interpersonal involvement between members can be very beneficial to the business owners."

Frostad used to run a class called "Introduction to Construction," which covered the basics--a boot camp of sorts--to initiate the members and prepare them for the terminology and physiology of the industry. "It was an entry-level overview from blueprint reading to bidding, and estimating to insurance, bonding, and accounting. Many members' employers were involved in teaching segments of this class." People from every aspect of construction are invited to become involved by participating in various Alaska Chapter events, including presenting at the NAWIC monthly meetings.

Does the accountant of an engineering firm really need to understand grade work at a construction site? For NAWIC, the answer is always yes. Knowledge can only improve one's overall picture of...