VAASPHALT.ORG 25 intentionality, the community has flourished, encouraging women to open up and share ideas for the branch or goals for their careers. The branch has also featured members each month (#MemberSpotlightMondays), which highlights individual members, shines a light on their role in the industry, and shares what it took for them to get there. These spotlight posts intend to boost morale within the branch and allow members to get to know each other a little bit better. WofA has also participated in and planned a number of events, including career fairs, charity events, regional networking receptions, and virtual meetings with special speakers. The list of events continues to grow as the branch grows and plans more opportunities throughout the year. A Women’s Summit, focused on education and “hot topics” for women in the workplace, is also in the works. There is also a particular objective that WofA will be putting more effort into in the coming months: getting in front of younger generations of girls to share information about the asphalt industry and related career paths. WofA believes that making true, lasting change for women in the asphalt industry will start with shifting mindsets and ensuring it is a well-known career path of interest for girls and young women. STEM education has helped revolutionize the asphalt industry to be more economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable. It will continue to do so as long as schools recognize its importance and emphasize its opportunities to young people. We hope more schools will contact companies and organizations in the asphalt industry for classroom visits and talks, and WofA is happy to be part of such engagements to date. For instance, during Women in Construction Week in early March, WofA teamed up with the Heavy Construction Contractors Association’s Women in Construction branch to attend the Senior Career Fair at Liberty High School in Bealeton. The participants were encouraged to explore their many options in construction and trade careers, and we enjoyed being able to share a table with a similar industry initiative and share our information with interested students. Our hot pink banners and signage on the table piqued the interest of the younger girls and we were able to share what Women of Asphalt represents. WofA will also partner with Aleksandra Wojcik of Allan Myers in May to participate in the Career Day at Holman Middle School in Glen Allen. This career day is intended to illuminate how strong fundamentals in math, science, and technology can be building blocks for a successful future in any industry, but especially the asphalt industry. The WofA Virginia branch is working to get members more involved in and excited about these events, as they are sure to build even more confidence and community in current members as well as women entering the industry. The journey to lead and inspire women of all ages and experience levels in the asphalt industry is long with many challenges, but so, so worth it. Continue to lead. Continue to inspire. Continue to be Women of Asphalt. WOMEN OF ASPHALT
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