Women in Construction Week

This March, the construction industry and stakeholders are coming together to celebrate Women in Construction Week, a national initiative spearheaded by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). This year’s theme is “Level Up, Build Strong” which recognizes the achievements of women in the trades and inspires the next generation to pursue careers in construction. Join DOLI in celebrating Women in Construction Week by visiting https://nawic.org/wic-week/. 

At the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI), we are proud to join this national celebration and spotlight the women who are helping build the Commonwealth’s infrastructure, economy, and communities. 
 
As of 2024, there were approximately 230,000 workers in the construction industry in Virginia according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Of that total, data from the American Community Survey shows that about 12% of workers in the construction industry were women. 

In Virginia from 2023-2024, 4% of the nonfatal injuries and illnesses that occurred in the private construction industry involved women, but as noted they made up only 12% of construction workers in the state. Overall, female workers made up 44% of nonfatal work-related injuries and illnesses resulting in days missed or job transfer across all private industries in 2023-2024.  

Some of the most common issues faced by women in construction are:

At DOLI, our goal is to ensure safe and healthful workplaces for all Virginians. Through cooperative programs, training and compliance assistance, we work to support employers and employees across the Commonwealth, including those in the construction industry.  

One of the ways we work with our partners to advance safety excellence is through Virginia’s Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP). VPP recognizes employers who go above and beyond regulatory compliance to implement comprehensive safety and health management systems that protect their workforce. 

Among our VPP partners are leaders who embody the spirit of “Level Up, Build Strong” including woman-owned construction companies that demonstrate a strong commitment to worker safety. That’s why we are proud to celebrate one of our VPP partners this Women in Construction Week. 

Spotlight: Women-Owned Construction Companies in VPP BEST Programs: 

Lee Construction Group is a Virginia BEST Level 1 Participant.  

The Lee Construction Group, Inc. traces its roots back to 1939, evolving from a highly skilled father and son team, Bob and Bobby Lee, who built and restored fine and historic homes across Central Virginia under the name R. E. Lee & Son, Inc., to a group of independent businesses engaged in the commercial building construction industry. Our businesses provide the full life cycle of building service. 

We believe every project is a self-portrait of the people who built it. We autograph our work with diligent effort, determination, pride and excellence. We are committed to realizing our clients’ vision with the highest level of construction services in Central Virginia in a culture of continuous improvement that strives for excellence through our founding values –  

Pioneering. Honorable. Professional. 

The Virginia BEST Program (Building Excellence in Safety, Health and Training) is a strategic partnership between the VOSH Program and the Associated General Contractors of Virginia (AGCVA) designed to encourage and recognize AGCVA members who voluntarily implement highly effective safety and health management systems to benefit construction workers and reduce or eliminate injuries, illnesses and fatalities on construction sites in Virginia. All applicants must be in good standing of the Associated General Contractors of Virginia (AGCVA). 

We had the chance to interview Arlene E Lee from Lee Construction Group for this post.  

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction and lead a woman-owned company?  

Like many women in the Industry, I was surrounded by a family business. My pathway is not typical. I accepted leadership after the unexpected passing of my husband, our fourth generation in our five-generation family business. I didn’t work my way up, I came in at the top. Our lives are not always linear, but we take the experiences we learn along the way to meet the moment. 

What does Women in Construction Week mean to you and your team?   

Half of one percent of CEOs, in commercial construction, are women. There are many that are capable but are often overlooked. Shining a light on talent that exists can only be good for the Industry in the long run and create better pathway for women.  

What advice would you give to women considering a career in construction today?  

We need you, your energy, determination, and creativity!  

How do you foster a strong culture of safety and leadership within your organization?  

I know what it’s like to have a loved one leave for work and not come home. I don’t want anyone to ever have to go through that. Safety is the beginning, middle, and end of everything we do. We have a top-down, bottom-up, side-to-side approach involving everyone on our team. This approach has been a key part of our involvement in the Virginia BEST program. The BEST program has been a fantastic tool in focusing our efforts to live into our commitment to each person making it home safe at the end of the day. 

We believe leadership happens at all levels and we include leadership and conflict resolution training at all levels in the organization. One needs to first learn to lead themselves. We foster opportunities for both men and women in all of our leadership programs. This removes barriers women often experience in lack of mentorships or risk of impropriety. 

What accomplishment are you most proud of as a woman-owned construction company?  

I am most proud of the learning culture that is pervasive through our organization. We lean into our founding values of Pioneering. Honorable. Professional. While we are a SWaM* company we have the technology and know-howcomparable to the “Big Boys” but in a whole person and family-focused envelope. It is important to me that people like coming to work. We are intentional about nurturing a culture that both works hard and has fun doing it. 

*SWam is Small, Women-Owned, and Minority-owned Business 

Find out more about DOLI’s cooperative programs at https://doli.virginia.gov/vosh/vpp/. 

Frederick brings more than 35 years of experience advancing worker safety, health, and rights at the local, state, and national levels. Prior to his appointment, he served from 2021 to 2025 as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health at the U.S. Department of Labor, where he led national OSHA operations and regulatory initiatives.

In 2025, he joined NEXUS HSE, LLC as a Principal, partnering with organizations to design and strengthen industry-leading safety and health programs. His expertise includes developing and improving safety and health management systems and serious injury and fatality prevention programs grounded in human and organizational performance principles. He has also served as a Senior Fellow with the McElhattan Foundation’s Ending Death on the Job Program, which focuses on eliminating workplace hazards that lead to worker fatalities and serious injuries.

Earlier in his career, Frederick spent many years with the United Steelworkers Union as Assistant Director of Health, Safety, and Environment. In that role, he worked directly with workers and employers to reduce injuries and illnesses while strengthening compliance with worker protection laws. 

Frederick holds a Master of Science in Environmental Health and Safety Management from Rochester Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health from Purdue University. He received Purdue University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2022 and the College of Health and Human Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award in 2024.