Page 25 - San Diego Woman interactive pdf

Women of Distinction

we can create the momentum, and virally did the same, but made it impossible for associations like the National Association of
change the discussion. The shift in thought the opponents to know the gender of their Women in Construction (NAWIC), because
to where the Business Case is a motivator opponents, the girls won. This showed they are fantastic at connecting contractors
opened opportunity for us to potentially that the intimidation factor, as well as the with talented women. The important thing
power through the passive progress toward inherent belief that boys were better than is to put yourself out there to every single
parity, helping companies understand and girls in chess, played an integral part in the general contractor related to diversity and
embrace the benefit. Awareness is the first outcome of the matches. The same was not talk about diversity. Just about every con-
step towards transformation.” true when the gender of the opponents was tractor nowadays that I know of is inter-
“It was about 20 years ago that I bought unknown. ested in diversity, they can reach out to our
the domain www.aboveglassceilings.com organization as well. In fact, I'm looking to
and I thought, you know what? This is hire five construction managers right now.”
going to be an important site and one that Patricia’s desire to bring more women
will make money while, most importantly, into the construction and other STEM
improving the world’s economy and provide fields is refreshing. She believes strongly in
parity in the workplace someday, because I mentoring young women who have a desire
believe in this and I knew others would too. to follow in her footsteps. Systemic bias is
Ultimately, it did, and has continued to ev- huge, especially in a trade such as construc-
ery single year since. My twin sister, Nancy, tion, but until we put different lenses on in
and I first thought about this concept when all fields will we ever identify the implicit
we were about the age of 10. We knew we biases that exist. She admits that there are
would write a book and develop this organi- just some inherent biases that both men and
zation from this young age. women must get past. One example that we
Now we do a lot of speaking engage- have seen may be self-imposed by women,
ments all over the place, and we are working in their lack of confidence regarding their
on our book. We were even on Worldwide competence. “One issue that we found was
Business with Kathy Ireland®, a half hour that men are promoted more frequently
show featuring global executives sharing than women, however it has been shown
their business insights. It aired on Fox that the primary reason is the way women
Business to 80 million households and view themselves and their worth. Women
Bloomberg International to 198 million don't put themselves out there the same way
households, which was great since it en- men do regarding their talent. Women wait
abled us to get the message out.” until they are a hundred percent qualified
“Our passion is to empower women for a promotion. They believe that they
and we continue to do so. The outbreak of Patricia adds, “If companies want must check every single box. Men tend to
COVID-19 has taken a lot of women away to stay relevant, they have to realize that put themselves out there when they are 70%
from growing their businesses, since many there are inherent biases, both implicit and qualified, and so it is the men who more
have had to take on the role of home school- systemic, and if we don’t get past them and often are given the promotion.”
ing their children, or curtailing their work include more diversity in hiring practices, It is obvious how much Patricia loves
schedules to be home for their childcare.” their companies will not grow and prosper.” what she does, both in her construction
“We love to engage young women The statistics prove these points, for more business and as an advocate for women
in construction because they don't know information visit their page to see for your- in Above Glass Ceilings. Patricia and her
that STEM is a wonderful career for them. self. Go to: https://aboveglassceilings.com/ team want to continue to get the word out
Talent is a really narrow pipeline right now resources/statistics/ to women that they can achieve whatever
and is more in demand than in supply, so I asked Patricia what advice she would they set out to do. “As soon as we are able
if we don't encourage more women in the give to women interested in the construc- to travel again, we will be back out there
STEM disciplines, then there will not be tion field or other STEM industries. “If you speaking to women around the world and
enough available people. We have found are talking about the construction industry, helping to empower them in whatever
that women in STEM fields take on more a drawback would be having to be open to a field to which they aspire. We want women
responsibility, they understand better. We more physical profession, although with the to remember what the letters in ABOVE
don’t try to push women in this field. It is advances in technology and robotics, not stand for in our organization’s name. Above
an important, noble industry that affects every job in the construction field requires stands for Awareness, Belief, Opportunity,
every person’s life. We want them to know physical labor and this is advancing quickly. Value and Empowerment. We as women
that being in these industries is a necessity.” Most STEM positions primarily use your can never forget our dreams and must con-
Patricia shared an experiment that brain and not brawn, so I would encour- tinue to strive to reach our goals.”
was done a few years ago. They put boys age them to move forward and realize that
against girls in games of chess and almost women have some pretty talented brains. Visit https://aboveglassceilings.com/ for
across the board the boys won. When they I would suggest that they connect with more information.

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