Women at Work: The "Why" Behind the Project

When I first started photographing for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) clients, I noticed something striking—room after room, job site after job site, the faces I captured were overwhelmingly male. Whether it was boardrooms, design studios, or construction sites, women were often absent or vastly outnumbered. And when I did meet women in these spaces, they were exceptional—not just in talent, but in the way they had navigated industries that weren’t always built with them in mind.

That realization became the foundation for Women at Work, a photo project dedicated to highlighting the women shaping the AEC world. Through photography and storytelling, this project is about more than just representation; it’s about amplifying the voices, experiences, and contributions of women in fields where they are still the minority. Their presence matters—not just for the next generation of professionals, but for the future of these industries as a whole.

This blog is an inside look at why Women at Work exists and why it’s so important.

The Current Landscape: A Look at the Numbers

In the Milwaukee metro area, the growth of women in the workforce pipeline has remained nearly stagnant over the past two decades. In 2000, women made up just 3% of active apprentices, a figure that has only inched up to 3.3% today, according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum.

More broadly, women only made up 9.2% of Wisconsin’s construction industry workforce in 2022 as reported by the Department of Workforce Development. Women make up 47.8% of overall workers, making the disparity in construction substantial. Nationally, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that just 11.5% of payroll employees in the construction industry are women.

“When I first started out in the construction field I met quite a few individuals who thought that a woman didn’t belong working alongside them. They even went so far as to refuse to communicate with me.”
-Megan Bruckner, Warehouse Laborer at Miron Construction.

Challenges Women Face in AEC

Despite the strong salaries and job security in the AEC industry, women continue to face multiple barriers, including:

Unwelcoming Work Environments: Women are often underrepresented on job sites, leading to feelings of isolation and exclusion.
Lack of Supportive Policies: Maternity leave policies and work-life balance structures are often not designed with women in mind.
Limited Access to Specialized Training: Fewer women are encouraged to enter apprenticeship programs, contributing to the stagnant numbers in the workforce pipeline.
Lack of Role Models: With fewer women in leadership and skilled trade roles, aspiring professionals have fewer examples to follow.
Childcare Challenges: As primary caregivers, women often struggle to find adequate childcare that aligns with early morning or late evening shifts, which are common in the industry.

“I did experience many challenges as a female engineer and project manager such as work-life balance with three young children. Maternity leave, lactation rooms, and remote work were uncommon at the time. I had to be brave and ask for changes for women in non-traditional workplaces. Fortunately, the workplace has progressed to make women feel more included and there’s space for more progress.”
-Roz Kruse, Construction Management Instructor at Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC)

The Path Forward: Increasing Women’s Representation in AEC

The Wisconsin Building Trades Council emphasizes the importance of not just recruitment but also normalizing the presence of women on job sites. Executive Director Emily Pritzkow highlights the need for an aggressive effort to remove barriers, increase visibility in schools, and expand partnerships with organizations like EmpowHER.

"From our point of view, growing the share of women in construction requires an aggressive effort, both by removing barriers within the industry as a whole and by continuing to expand work with our partner organization, EmpowHER," said Pritzkow.

Solutions for Growth

Early Exposure: Introducing AEC careers to girls in middle and high school through mentorship programs, internships, and school partnerships.
Childcare Solutions: Advocating for flexible childcare options that accommodate non-traditional work hours.
Supportive Workplace Policies: Encouraging employers to adopt family-friendly policies, paid maternity leave, and mentorship programs.
Training and Apprenticeships: Expanding outreach efforts to encourage more women to enter apprenticeship programs and skilled trades training.
Creating Inclusive Work Environments: Companies should actively foster workplaces that support and retain women, ensuring they feel welcome and valued.

“At my desk I have a photocopy of an excerpt titled “1943 Guide to Hiring Women” from an article that was in the July 1943 issue of Transportation Magazine. It’s an eye-opening article and I keep it as a reminder of how far things have come. There may be times when you need to assert yourself, but that is true in any profession. If you have knowledge and sound judgement on your side, and you can communicate calmly in tough situations, you are equipped to handle whatever will come your way.”
-Shelly Cornelius, Senior Structural Engineer at Graef

Graham Images Women at Work Photo Project: Shedding Light on the Industry

To help bring visibility to women working in the AEC industry and highlight their contributions, Graham Images started the Women at Work Photo Project. This initiative captures powerful images and stories of women in the male-dominated fields of architecture, engineering, and construction in Northeast Wisconsin. The project aims to showcase the resilience, skills, and expertise of these professionals while inspiring the next generation of women to pursue careers in the industry.

By documenting these women in action, the project serves as both a celebration and a call to action—emphasizing the need for greater representation, inclusivity, and structural changes to support women in AEC. As workforce demands shift, projects like this help change perceptions and encourage more women to see construction and engineering as viable career paths.

Learn more about Graham Images’ Women at Work Photo Project.

Breaking Barriers, Building the Future

Despite the challenges, the future for women in Wisconsin’s AEC industry is promising. Organizations and industry leaders are recognizing the need for systemic change, and by addressing the barriers women face, the industry can build a stronger, more diverse workforce.

As workforce needs continue to grow, increasing women’s participation in AEC isn’t just about equality—it’s about strengthening the industry as a whole. With the right support, policies, and initiatives, Wisconsin can move beyond stagnation and create a future where women thrive in construction, engineering, and architecture.

As of March 2025, Graham Images will have a mobile in-person banner gallery and an initial photobook that highlights participants stories available to use for recruitment events, informational events, open houses, or other corporate events.

For more information, to get involved, or to have our Women at Work Photo Project featured at your upcoming event, please contact Morgan at morgan@grahamimages.net