Together, women build more than a house

I have always had mixed feelings about women’s groups. My first experience with them was at the climbing gym where I used to work. Ladies’ night was the last two hours of every Wednesday before we closed. Guys would come in and be very upset they couldn’t climb. I was with them; why should they not be able to climb?

On the other hand, I think it’s great to get women into environments that are typically male-dominated, like climbing, exploring the backcountry and construction sites. Having a ladies’ night in the climbing gym gave women a non-threatening environment where they could learn a new sport. I support that.

There are so many different opinions out there about women’s groups and empowerment. But, when we women get together to learn something, work on a project or just enjoy where we are, the focus isn’t on the fact that we are all women. We are focused on what we are doing, supporting each other and enjoying each other’s company.

I joined six other women Thursday at a building site on 15th Avenue in Post Falls to participate in National Women Build Week. Habitat for Humanity partnered with Lowe’s, the home improvement chain, to build a house.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit that seeks to build safe, affordable, and decent housing for low-to moderate-income residents in local communities. There are 41 homes in Kootenai County that have been built by Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho.

During Women Build week, all the volunteer builders were women. They do this a lot apparently, and I’m thinking about doing it again.

We arrived at the construction site in the morning, around 9. Some of the women already knew each other. We all introduced ourselves and received a brief safety lesson about the tools we were going to use.

I couldn’t help but think, if we were all men, or even a mixed group, would they give us the same lesson? Yes, yes they would.

We had three supervisors for the day. They were men.

The men knew the blueprints and the supplies and how to build a house. They told us what needed to be done. It was interesting — when I saw the supervisors of the group were men, I thought to myself, “well, there goes women empowerment.” But that wasn’t the case.

These guys were super helpful and never made any of us feel like we were a burden, because we weren’t.

Everyone in the group used the nail gun, except for the woman whose shoulder was injured. Some of the group used the saw to cut boards, and women more than twice my age carried 16-foot boards across the yard by themselves. Everyone did a great deal to help out.

What was really great was that everyone looked after themselves and everyone else. Without being told to, a woman came up to spot me on the ladder. When we were hot or thirsty we let ourselves rest in the shade briefly before returning to work.

When I asked the other women what they thought about women-only groups, they said they liked them. No one could really put a finger on why, but it was nice being there, working hard together to make a difference.

Oddly enough, one of our male mentors gave the best reason why women’s groups are great. He said men and women just need time apart from each other; it’s relaxing to get away. Just like he and his buddies go fishing together, it’s important for women to do the same.

These days, women are eager to learn and do new things. So, instead of knitting circles while the guys go fishing, we go to new restaurants, we go for runs or mountain bike rides or we build houses. Women’s groups aren’t about excluding men — they’re about women being together and enjoying themselves or trying new things.

I learned how to operate a nail gun, build walls, windows, and doors. I felt accomplished, like anyone does when they build something. We helped build a house, but we also built and strengthened our friendships.

To sign up to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho, call Katrina Boyer at (208) 762-4663 ext. 4. You don't have to be woman to help out; guys are invited, too.