This portrait series features just a few of many women in construction and trade jobs in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Area.
These are the women helping to build the world around us through their roles as skilled craftswomen and leaders in a male-dominated industry. I asked each woman I photographed if they experience any benefits or discriminating factors at their workplace, and if so, what? The majority expressed that being a woman in construction has more advantages than disadvantages.
Angie Sakinawa poses for a portrait at the Searstone expansion site in Raleigh, NC on March 2, 2023. Sakinawa has been in construction for about 35 years and is now a foreman for Sears Inc., leading teams of framers on construction sites. “Just because I am a woman, I do not think that I should be treated any differently,” Sakinawa said.
Moeko Christiansen, a project manager for Clancy & Theys, poses for a portrait at The Platform construction site in Raleigh, NC on March 6, 2023. Christiansen feels that women in construction are treated differently on the job, but not in a negative way. “In some aspect it is easier being a woman in construction,” Christiansen said. “People are less aggressive and more open to what you need.”
Nicole Goolsby, Nancy Bacilio, and Libby Dominguez pose for a portrait in Raleigh, NC on March 7, 2023. The trio works together on custom home renovations in the Triangle Area. Goolsby recalls women being an “anomaly” at the time when she first entered the industry in the 90’s, but now believes that more women are engaged not only in the office but are in the trades and putting on a tool belt. “This is construction now,” Goolsby said. “We communicate differently, and we develop relationships differently. Relationships are key for me, whether it’s working with my trade partners and getting the job done or working with my clients. Construction has needed it for a long time.”
Nolbia Rosales poses for a portrait at The Platform construction site in Raleigh, NC on March 6, 2023. Rosales has been working as a mechanic and handywoman for electricians at Clancy & Theys for about one year. She describes her womanhood as an asset in her role as a helper to her team. “I love to work here,” Rosales said, “because I am a woman, I feel like I can be helpful, I feel useful here.”
Concepcion Garcia Villatoro poses for a portrait at The Signal construction site in Raleigh, NC on March 2, 2023. In her role as a foreman for SA Panther, Villatoro leads a crew of painters, cleaners, and drywall installers and finishers. In addition to working full-time in construction, she also works as a full-time restaurant business owner. However, she prefers her role in construction over catering, and says that drywall finishing is her favorite of her many tasks. “I love this job and the girls in the company because they are fearless,” Villatoro said. “We are not afraid to get to work and do anything that we need to do, no questions asked.”
Angie Sakinawa poses for a portrait at the Searstone expansion site in Raleigh, NC on March 2, 2023. As a woman authority figure in a male-dominated field, Sakinawa rarely experiences challenges with disrespect on the job. “Once in a while there will be someone who wants to give you a bit of a hard time as an authority figure, but you just have to portray your confidence in what you know,” Sakinawa said.
Leslie Barnes poses for a portrait at The Platform construction site in Raleigh, NC on March 8, 2023. Barnes has been working in the construction industry for 26 years, ever since she first got her start as a framer. As she learned the ins and outs of the construction world as a tradeswoman, Barnes gradually moved up the industry ladder to her current position as a project manager for Sears Inc. Barnes views her relationship with construction like that of a mother-child relationship – a special bond that only a woman can create. “I know how to nurture a project and make sure that I am there when I am needed, but I can let it go on its own, unless it needs me,” Barnes said.
“This is not a man’s world anymore. You can quote that.”
Angie Sakinawa, foreman