NAWIC Palmetto Chapter (Lowcountry) Shines at Regional Event
Charleston, S.C. – The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Palmetto Chapter of South Carolina #385, the newest chapter in the South Atlantic Region of NAWIC, had a great showing at the Region’s Spring Forum in Charlotte on April 13 and 14. The chapter was awarded first place for their Women in Construction (WIC) Week activities and President Elect Dannielle Minetti was named the region’s Future Leader of the Year.
The purpose of WIC Week, celebrated annually the first week of March, is to highlight women as a viable component of the construction industry, raise awareness of the opportunities available for women, and to emphasize the growing role of women in construction. It is also a time for local chapters to give back to their communities.
The WIC Week awards were based on four categories: PR & Marketing, Chapter Collaboration, Community Outreach, and Education. The Palmetto Chapter hosted nine different events throughout the week in March, including lunch and learns, a listening session with freshman Congressman Joe Cunningham, jobsite tours, a Habitat for Humanity build, and a joint Safety Relay and Social with Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Charleston.
“Our chapter worked hard to provide a variety of events that engaged the community and our members,” commented Janet Bates, President of the Palmetto Chapter. “We are humbled and honored to win this award in our inaugural year.”
WIC Week Committee Chair and President Elect Dannielle Minetti of Cullum Constructors was recognized as the region’s Future Leader of the Year based off a nomination from her chapter, which read “Dannielle has a personal mission to change the status quo in the construction industry and with her passion and drive, she spreads her story about her career progression and the possibilities that abound for other young women. Her enthusiasm is contagious.”
According to her nominators, Minetti set out to achieve a vision for WIC Week in 2019 that would bring the chapter together, increase energy and engagement, show the community just how powerful and incredible the chapter’s members are, and fundamentally change the conversation surrounding women in construction and women in male dominated industries.
“We are incredibly lucky to have Dannielle on our board and as one of our members,” Bates said.
Photo (left to right): Mendi Arnold (Cullum), Janet Bates (CF Evans Construction), Dannielle Minetti (Cullum), Megan Bultman (ECS Limited), Allison Brown (JS Held), and Amanda Redick (Banks Construction).
About NAWIC Palmetto SC #385
The Palmetto Chapter of South Carolina was chartered on August 28, 2018 to serve the Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester County areas. Our goal is to provide professional development opportunities for women in our industry, to ignite interest in the many opportunities available in the construction industry, and to increase the viability of women in construction. Through a unified effort we hope to diminish the skilled labor shortage that currently exists and place emphasis on growing the female representation in the industry. You can learn more about us at www.nawicpalmetto.org
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) was founded with the purpose of enhancing the success of women in the construction industry.
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) originally began as Women in Construction of Fort Worth, Texas in 1953. Sixteen women came together, knowing that women represented only a small fraction of the construction industry, and organized NAWIC 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.
Today, NAWIC provides its members with opportunities for professional development, education, networking, leadership training, public service and more.
