VCC Honors Women in Construction During Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month, which kicks off each March after its official designation in 1987, is a great time to recognize the importance and value of women in the workforce. Construction is one industry striving to welcome more women into its field. As of 2020, women comprised only 9% of the construction industry.

Celebrating its 35th year in the building and construction industry, VCC looks to highlight the many contributions of the women leading the construction movement with its spotlight series, VCC Women in Construction. Host Michelle Dawn Mooney got recently acquainted with one such leader, Nancy Rodriguez, VCC’s Senior Risk Manager. Rodriguez joined VCC nine years ago as an assistant risk manager, and she’s continued her work with VCC up through her current role.

Rodriguez spoke with Mooney about her construction career journey. Their discussion includes:

• How Rodriguez’s father’s masonry background influenced her interest in pursuing a construction career
• The aspects of Rodriguez’s job that motivate her
• The rewarding aspects of being a woman in construction

“We’re problem solvers, as women, and so my perspective on many things is what gets it done,” Rodriguez said. “That is very rewarding because we target problems differently as women. Most of us are multitaskers; we have children and schedules to try to be at work and coordinate school and events. It’s rewarding to me to be able to know I have a handle on what’s happening in my department, and I feel fulfilled.”

Nancy Rodriguez is a risk management specialist with experience in construction risk and insurance. Rodriguez is also a notary public in Arkansas and received her BS in Biology/Biological Sciences from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.