WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION Week (WIC) celebrated the roles of women in the construction industry March 5-11. The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) is the creator and sponsor of WIC Week, which was launched 25 years ago.
This year’s WIC Week celebrated its anniversary with the theme “Many Paths. One Mission,” which speaks to the goal of bringing more women to the industry at all levels. One person honored at WIC Week for working tirelessly to make this a great industry was Lenatta Lucas.
Lucas lost her job in 2019 and was unemployed for two years. She came across a job opening on the internet for a Utility Locator… and was hired by USIC. Lucas became a valuable employee for USIC locating buried underground utility lines. She received an award during her tenure at USIC for no damages, but her desire for growth led her to the Town of Clayton (North Carolina), where she currently works as a locator.
WHEN ASKED WHAT HER BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS A FEMALE IN THE INDUSTRY IS, SHE STATED, “WORKING AND BEING SCRUTINIZED AS A FEMALE IN A MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRY.”
When asked what her biggest challenge as a female in the industry is, she stated, “Working and being scrutinized as a female in a male-dominated industry.” Her passion pushes her to gain knowledge on the ins and outs of locating and to not be afraid to ask for updated equipment to be successful. When asked where she sees herself in five years, she said without hesitation, “A locate supervisor!”