For three days, more than 100 women are volunteering to work on five new houses in northeast Columbia — two built for female, first-time homeowners.
The second annual Women Build through Habitat for Humanity runs Thursday through Saturday. The event supports increased female homeownership, with support from local female-owned businesses and the National Association of Women in Construction.
“The women in our community are so incredibly generous and willing to do things that they have never done before,” said Ashley Switzer, the community outreach director at Show Me Central Habitat for Humanity.
One of the houses is being built for Cassandra and her three daughters, who look forward to living in a more walkable area where they can ride their bikes and walk to the grocery store. Like all recipients, she’s helping to build her and her neighbor’s houses.
“I think it’s powerful, it’s amazing,” Cassandra said. “And you get to go rub it in the boys’ face.”
Marina Conklin works with NAWIC, a nonprofit organization that empowers women who work in the field. Women Build is one of four events the organization participates in annually.
“I’ve got women who wanted to just only do measurements, but now they’re shooting guns into two-by-fours and two-by-sixes,” Conklin said. “So it’s very empowering.”
Conklin finds motivation for the project in showing her three daughters her work, hopefully inspiring them to support their community.
“Ashley’s got a wonderful crew out here that has helped us and (is) supporting us and doing majority of the building, so just who wouldn’t want to be a part of this?” Conklin said.
Zafu is another recipient, a mom of three who moved to Columbia from Ethiopia three years ago. Her children are excited to play soccer in their own backyard.
Last year’s Women Build focused on a house for Krystal Huckaby. On Thursday, she volunteered to help build houses for her new neighbors and is offering a tour of her home on Saturday.
“It’s really coming together,” Huckaby said. “I can’t wait to show it off.”
The building continues through Friday and Saturday morning, capped off by a brunch celebration featuring mimosas, facials, bouquet-making and an inflatable jousting pit.
