One morning last week, I put on my scruffiest tennis shoes and joined thirteen other women volunteers to help build a house for a woman who needs one. We gathered early on the front porch of a little house-in-progress on Acorn Lane in Pittsboro, Chatham County, North Carolina. Amid introductions and chatter, we learned that most of us didn’t bring extensive knowledge about building.
What we did bring was a sense of purpose; we were part of Habitat for Humanity’s National Women Build Week, which was happening in all 50 states. Lowes home improvement stores, which underwrites the program, made sure that we received t-shirts, water bottles, visors, and lip balm, all sporting the Women Build logo.
Women Build was spawned in 1991 when the first women-built Habitat house was completed in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since then, 1800 houses have been completed with the help of Women Build events.
Affordable Housing
Habitat for Humanity International, begun in 1976, has long been known, as Chatham Habitat’s volunteer manual quotes, as a “non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry” which makes home ownership possible for low-income individuals and families. The house we worked on—filling nail holes, priming and painting interior trim-- is for Daniella, who came by to put in a couple of hours toward her required 350-hour “sweat equity” investment before reporting to her job at a nursing home. “I am excited to have a place where my mom can stay [with me],” she said with a shy smile and a touch of a Jamaican accent.
“Like Our Own Homes”
Our boss ladies (crew leaders) for the day were Ronnie and Page. They have been working with a regular co-ed crew on Wednesday mornings for the past 11 and 6 years, respectively. “It’s really fun,” said Page. However, she told us, “What we’re doing today is not the fun part.” Even so, we needed to keep our standards high. “We want to make it like our own homes,” she stressed.
Page said she believes that women on Habitat building sites are “a little bit more aware of safety issues and aesthetics—the details. We really care about [the houses]. We get to meet all of the people who are moving in.”
Throughout the day, much attention was given to “detail,” with meticulous application of painter’s tape to wood floor edges and door hinges, along with calls of “no drips!” from Ronnie.
A Feminine Feel
There were no girly-girl ooh-I-broke-a-fingernail airs on our jobsite last Wednesday. But there was—in the best sense-- a feminine atmosphere. A Habitat staff member had baked a bundt cake for the occasion. One of the ladies announced the arrival of a baby—her great granddaughter. There was a request for soft rock music on the radio.
Standing on the front porch, we admired the other small, well-designed, craftsman style Habitat homes on the cul-de-sac. We discussed the designer color combos that had been chosen for their paint jobs by the homeowners. “That one looks like chocolate milk,” one young woman remarked with a smile.
Confidence Builder
Women do a lot of work on Habitat construction sites throughout the year. Perhaps the best thing about National Women Build Week, though—besides the progress made on the homes-- is the confidence that a woman-only atmosphere can give to those who are new or fairly new to Habitat.
“I worked [in this neighborhood] last year on ‘women’s day ’, reflected Diana. “I felt more safe and confident just working with women. I realized I was capable of so much more than I thought.”
Chatham Habitat Executive Director Amy Powell noted, “Sometimes women may be reluctant— Habitat is a male-dominated industry. We want everyone to be part of the mission. [We’re] exhibiting the great power of what women can do together.”
Bett Foley, Resource Development Coordinator, added, “It’s incredible what happens [this week]. Some women work in honor of mothers or other strong women in their [lives].”
“Women Can Do This”
We took a break on the home’s front steps, lunching on boxed sandwiches from a local eatery. We shared names of gynecologists and dermatologists, shopping tips, and thoughts about women as Habitat builders.
“Women need to be able to show that we’re multi-faceted,” said Kathy, “and don’t just need to do typing.
“Or changing diapers,” added Scheryl, who, with Kathy, grew up at a time when typing and diaper changing dominated the short list of “appropriate” jobs for ladies.
“I think it’s nice that we’re building a house for a woman,” Scheryl reflected.
“It’s challenging trying to be a homeowner,” concluded Leslie. “I wanted to show that women can do this.”
Sources
“Habitat for Humanity International” /“Volunteer Manual – CHFH” Chatham Habitat for Humanity. Web. 11 May 2011.
“ History of the Women Build Program.” Habitat for Humanity. Web. 11 May 2011.
