By Elizabeth McDermott
Hard Hats. Strong Women. Building the Future.
Follow our blog to hear the stories of women working in construction in New York City at every level as we ask 20 questions to women working in construction.
Elizabeth McDermott, Local 79
What is your current job? My first job in construction was a demo job with Titan. I was very excited that day.
What job do you want in the future? Foreman, Super.
Are you in a union? What is the best part of being in a union? Local 79, being part of a movement excites me. I tell the kids on the corner I'm from a bigger and badder gang, and we get paid.
Why did you choose construction? What led you to construction? I saw an ad on the subway for NEW. It was that advertisement that gave me the idea.
When did you realize you wanted to work in construction? When I saw the advertisement.
Who inspires you? Older women, elderly people (soldiers of life, I call them).
What has been the most surprising part of being a woman working in construction? I love it!
What is your favorite part of your career? The work environment and getting paid.
What is your most memorable moment working in construction? Climbing to the tip of the antenna on the Freedom tower being eye level with the crane. That was MAD!
What is the best company you have worked for? DCM
What is your favorite project you have worked on? Antenna on the roof of the Freedom Tower
What is the biggest challenge of being a woman working in construction? Being accepted as an asset.
What is the biggest change you have seen in the field since you started? Construction progress.
What advice would you give someone starting out? Do not give up, it will get better.
What is your favorite tool? My screw gun.
What is your favorite hardhat sticker?Harley Davidson looking Local 79 sticker.
What has been the most challenging? Confined spaces - I have been in a few tight situations!
What would surprise us about you? I'm the lookout for anyone I see that I can help.