VAA Virginia Asphalt Fall/Winter 2021

VAASPHALT.ORG 31 continues on page 32 △ TO LEAD AND INSPIRE Women of Asphalt Stand Tall Tigre J. Hammond, Member Relations Specialist, Virginia Asphalt Association According to 2020 U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics data, about 11% of those employed within the construction and asphalt industry are women. This makes the construction and asphalt industry one of the most male-dominant industries in the U.S. Women are severely under- represented. Some may say this is because certain ste- reotypes revolve around construction and asphalt—a mindset that says careers in this industry are strictly for men. However, this could not be further from the truth. Women can and already do play many roles within the asphalt industry—from administra- tive, sales specialists and coordinators, lab technicians and project managers, to engi- neers, pavers and operators in the field. Even entirely female paving crews contribute to America’s extensive infrastructure, laying down major roads and doing a fantastic job while setting an example for women every- where. The models set by women before us have so much value in contributing to future generations and their decisions when entering the workforce. Just take a look at the life of Katherine Johnson. She was the first African Amer- ican woman to work as a NASA scientist and mathematician. She once said, “Girls are capable of doing everything men are capable of doing. Sometimes they have more imagination than men.” This way of thinking helped Katherine break through the barriers of race and gender to help NASA put a man on the moon and bring him home safely. Against all odds, her skills and determination for learning paved the way to becoming one of the most influen- tial women in the STEM world. By Kather- ine’s example and the example set by other female pioneers in our society, women continue to gain more confidence in their abilities and strive to pursue careers within these male-dominated industries. However, there is still work ahead as women struggle with representation and advocacy, especially in the asphalt industry. Gender pay gaps still affect many women in certain positions, and there aren’t as many women in managerial roles. Therefore, a group of women in the Summer of 2017 came together to start an organization to support women in the asphalt industry and form a lasting community that would lead and inspire women for generations to come. The groundbreaking organization they founded, Women of Asphalt (WofA), currently has close to 2,000 members across the United States. The organization’s mission is to support women in all aspects of the asphalt industry through mentoring, education and advocacy and encourage women to seek careers in the asphalt industry. Since its inception, the national organization has empowered many women to lead the change and inspire other women to build careers in asphalt. WofA has since partnered with 12 state asphalt associations to build state branches. These branches allow women in the asphalt industry to network with women near them and tackle state-specific concerns and issues while furthering the mission Darlene Campbell, Chesterfield Plant Operator, Branscome, Inc.