Female construction workers fundraiser

On Sunday, January 14, the Association of Women Construction Workers of America (AWCWA), a newly created support organization for female construction workers, will hold its first annual fashion brunch and fundraiser.
The event will be held at Chef's Orchid Restaurant at JFK International Airport in Port Authority Administration Building 14 from 2 until 6 p.m. Individual tickets cost $60, and sponsorship tickets cost between $1,500 and $5,000.
&#8220We are an organization of women supporting women, building a stronger America,” said Herlema Owens, founder and president of the AWCWA. &#8220This is our first event, and it's sort of our introduction party,” Owens said.
&#8220After 20 years in the industry and having the opportunity to work with other women in the industry, I find that we all have the same plight,” Owens said. &#8220We needed a voice that might be able to reach out and … say that we can do the same work [as men] that they [our employers] would expect from us.”
Currently, the AWCWA has a nine-member board of directors and 22 members, but Owens hopes to eventually start nationwide chapters of the organization, which she is quick to point out is different from a union. &#8220We seek to partner with the building trade unions,” she said.
&#8220The AWCWA serves as a vehicle to one - bring awareness to their issues and two - bring about resolution,” Owens said.