March 25, 2025
A new book promises to shine a path for women interested in the construction industry.
Breaking Ground, Breaking Glass Ceilings: A Guide for Finding Success in Male-Dominated Industries comes from author Tammie Ross, the CEO and General Contractor of Residence by Ross.
In the book, Ross offers tools and strategies that she says can serve as a guiding light for women in navigating the challenges of a traditionally male dominated industries. She encourages women to adopt a growth mindset.
“A growth mindset is characterized by a belief that skills and talents can be cultivated through effort and learning,” Ross wrote in the book. “Individuals with this mindset view challenges as chances to grow and embrace the power of improvement. They recognize that success depends on hard work, persistence and adaptability.
“Instead of seeking to prove their competence, they focus on developing it, acknowledging that setbacks and mistakes are part of the journey.”
Ross’ book is published by BuilderBooks, the publishing arm of the National Association of Home Builders the publishing arm of the National Association of Home Builders, and it touts Ross as leader of a minority woman-owned burgeoning empire in the construction industry that is proudly and resolutely committed to excellence.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics, there are nearly 400,000 open jobs requiring skilled construction workers, but only 11-14 percent of the industry are women. Yet, that number has steadily risen over the last decade. Notably, women now hold 18 percent of management roles,
“This increase demonstrates that women are steadily moving into leadership roles, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative strategies to the table,” wrote Linarc CEO Shanthi Rajan in a recent For Construction Pros.com blog.
It’s worth noting that all three staff leadership roles at the Tampa Bay Builders Association are held by women.
A recent report from 10 Tampa Bay noted that 41 percent of construction workers will retire in the next six years. The industry may very well look to the increasing number of women joining the field to fill the void.
Valerie St. Martin, the director of architecture and design for Tampa-based Tomco Solutions, told 10 Tampa Bay she’s identified a trend that appears to be leading more women into the industry.
“There’s a lot of women that are starting to take on DIY projects at home,” St. Martin said. “And I believe it’s beginning to influence the younger generation. I think that’s starting to bleed into them wanting to get into a career in construction or design.
“There are so many different facets that you can get into.”
A number of companies have invested in programs to amplify the number of women in construction. In collaboration with nonprofit partners, The Home Depot Foundation’s Path to Pro program offers several programs and scholarships open to anyone entering or currently enrolled in construction trade programs.