Women in the Field

Welcome to “Onsite,” a fresh perspective brought to you by contributing writer Matt Ohley, founder of Bluecollar Mindfulness. In this column, Ohley cuts through the noise and delves into the challenges encountered by those shaping our world through construction. Ohley offers a unique perspective, amplifying the voices of those who experience the daily pulse of life on the jobsite.

Onsite is our commitment to breaking down the barriers and misconceptions that shroud the construction profession. Ohley aims to initiate open and honest conversations, from job insecurity to the transient nature of projects, physical strain and often-overlooked mental health struggles.

I was once asked, “I need the names of your two best superintendents." 

"No problem; Dana and John," I responded.

“"Really? Dana?"

"Yeah," I said. "Does that surprise you?"

"I guess it does a little, but I trust your judgment if you tell me she’s one of your best."

"She’s not just one of our best, she’s the cream of the crop, brother. Seriously. One of the best project supers I’ve ever worked with," I said.

He was building a training competency model for project superintendents within our company and needed input from several top performers across different areas. Dana was an easy choice, in my opinion.

Dana had been in the industry for 20 years, with 15 of those as a maintenance of traffic (MOT) forewoman. She was responsible for shutting down roadways for our operations — intersections, interstates, inner-city thoroughfares — you name it. And she was the best of the best at that too.

Eventually, the company gave her a shot as a project superintendent, and she absolutely crushed it.

Days, nights, multiple projects at once — she handled it all. And not only handled it, she thrived on it. 

"I like running multiple projects. I like being busy," she’d say.

Dana retired a couple of years ago, and our entire area (one of four) felt the loss. She could handle anything.

I remember a particularly difficult project — one that required full-time supervision; no bouncing between jobs. It needed a project superintendent’s undivided attention.

"Curt’s leaving for another position, Dana, and I need you to run this job," I told her.

"Ugh… please, no. I’ll be stuck there all day."

"You’re not wrong, but we don’t have anyone else that we can trust to run it. It’s a logistical nightmare, and we need someone solid. You’re the person for the job."

And to no surprise, she absolutely nailed that project too. Finished it out in fine fashion like the absolute boss she was.

I saw very few women in this industry 25 years ago. In the office? Sure. But in the field? They were rare.

Not anymore.

Now, I work with women in all sorts of roles — project superintendents, forewomen, inspectors, laborers, operators … and they don’t just fill these roles, they dominate them.

Heck, my girlfriend was a construction manager for 13 years, running operations for one of the most successful pool companies in Florida.

If you didn’t already know it, let me be the one to tell you: women are bringing immense value to this industry — far beyond what some old-timers might recognize — and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Here’s to the women putting in solid work on the front lines and showing the boys how it’s done.

I see you, and I have mad respect for what you’re doing. We all do.