IS ON THE RISE FOR

During Women’s History Month, Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and Delaware Counties hosted its annual Women Build. The month-long campaign engaged the women in Habitat’s affordable home building project and empowered them to work on their own homes.

Female homeownership is on the rise and womenheaded households account for half of all households in the United States.

On International Women’s Day this past March, volunteers who identify as women constructed walls of Habitat homes and participated in a woman-led workshop called “Taming Your Toilet Troubles.” Beth Allen, Founder of HIP Chicks, taught workshop participants how to stop a running tank, level a wobbly seat, fix a toilet flapper, or swap it out for a new one. No experience is necessary to sign up for a workshop.

“As a leader in the male-dominated field of construction, Habitat understands the importance of celebrating women in the trades and making space for them to share their skills,” said Rebecca Cain, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of MontDelco. “Women helping women and learning from each other sends a powerful message.”

Women Build offered free workshops throughout March along with volunteer building days. The workshops covered a variety of topics including a crash course in power tools, getting to know toolbox essentials, and ways to transform a room with a simple coat of paint.

Women Build is made possible thanks to the generous support of AVE Living.

Learn more about this program and Habitat’s international Women Build sites and trips at www.habitat.org/volunteer/ near-you/women-build.