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SAN DIEGO -
Once the purview of men, the construction industry is slowly giving way to women. But it hasn't been an easy wall to break through.
"I just plugged along with sweat and tears from the very beginning," said Denise McEwan, the owner of Women in Construction. "And it was very, very hard in the beginning."
It may be a man's world, but women like McEwan are making their way in the construction field. A former banker, she gave up coin counting to do something more creative with her hands.
"I learned about dry wall repair, I learned about plumbing, I learned about tile installation, I learned about some cement work," she said. "So I do a wide range of construction knowledge."
She said the first few years were difficult, with long hours and long days. But 25 years later, the tile contractor says they are doing okay.
"it was very, very tough last year...business was slow for everbody, even us," said McEwan. "But like I said, we made it through."
And for some people, the fact that she is a woman is a bonus.
"We do get a lot of compliments about how neat we are, clean we are," she said.
According to the National Association of Women in Construction, less than 10 percent of women are in industry. So why do some women jump into the field?
"I was a ship fitter welder in the ship yard," said Charlotte Zolezzi construction manager for Gafcon. "It paid a lot more money than secretarial work at the time."
Zolezzi, who began her construction career in the 70's said it was not very pleasant. But, the money kept her going.
"I'd have to say it was great pay and it was worth all the harassment and name calling," she said. "When I looked at the check it was okay...I can deal with this."
Years and a degree later, Zolezzi is running construction projects. Currently, she is working on a $16 million infratstructure project at Miramar college. Though she still has to prove herself to some men, Zolezzi says she loves her job. McEwan loves her job as well and has this advice for young women.
"Don't think for one minute you can't do it just because you're a girl," said McEwan.
"I just plugged along with sweat and tears from the very beginning," said Denise McEwan, the owner of Women in Construction. "And it was very, very hard in the beginning."
It may be a man's world, but women like McEwan are making their way in the construction field. A former banker, she gave up coin counting to do something more creative with her hands.
"I learned about dry wall repair, I learned about plumbing, I learned about tile installation, I learned about some cement work," she said. "So I do a wide range of construction knowledge."
She said the first few years were difficult, with long hours and long days. But 25 years later, the tile contractor says they are doing okay.
"it was very, very tough last year...business was slow for everbody, even us," said McEwan. "But like I said, we made it through."
And for some people, the fact that she is a woman is a bonus.
"We do get a lot of compliments about how neat we are, clean we are," she said.
According to the National Association of Women in Construction, less than 10 percent of women are in industry. So why do some women jump into the field?
"I was a ship fitter welder in the ship yard," said Charlotte Zolezzi construction manager for Gafcon. "It paid a lot more money than secretarial work at the time."
Zolezzi, who began her construction career in the 70's said it was not very pleasant. But, the money kept her going.
"I'd have to say it was great pay and it was worth all the harassment and name calling," she said. "When I looked at the check it was okay...I can deal with this."
Years and a degree later, Zolezzi is running construction projects. Currently, she is working on a $16 million infratstructure project at Miramar college. Though she still has to prove herself to some men, Zolezzi says she loves her job. McEwan loves her job as well and has this advice for young women.
"Don't think for one minute you can't do it just because you're a girl," said McEwan.
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