Driven by purpose. Built on connection. Advancing women in construction for more than four decades.
On July 2, 1983, eleven women came together from across the nation to discuss the formation of a new organization to serve women construction owners and executives.
The women were all members of various construction-related groups and organizations. But the feeling among them was unanimous. The organizations to which they belonged were all valuable in some way, yet none filled the single need to further the goals of women owners and executives in construction.
At that meeting and the next one, the eleven women came together and developed these principles:
On January 20, 1984, the Articles of Incorporation of WCOE, USA, a non-profit organization, were filed in the state of Washington. Less than one month later, the new WCOE, USA Executive Board held its first meeting, where the organization’s Bylaws were approved and adopted, and its officers were elected. At the Charter Meeting and Conference in October 1984, 89 women signed the WCOE, USA charter. Representatives from the White House, Department of Transportation, Department of Housing & Urban Development, Department of Energy and many successful business owners attended the program.
Honoring the women who have led, inspired, and paved the way for WCOE.