Women Supported in the Roofing Industry

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

Volunteers give back to others and mentor women in roofing.  

Women in the roofing industry are being encouraged by a new organization, the National Women in Roofing (NWIR).  Founded just three years ago and run solely by volunteers, their focus is on mentoring, networking, education, and recruitment.

“...Women have been making a real mark on the profession in the last 10 years— from the rooftop to the boardroom, to sales and manufacturing,” according to Stephanie Baird, Oregon Council Chair of the NWIR.  Stephanie has been in roofing for 25 years, and is the general manager of Bliss Roofing, a residential and commercial roofing company in Portland, Oregon.

Stephanie shared in her interview with KOIN6 that, “...Women are able to make a great income in our industry.”  Nationally, women make $0.80 for every dollar a man makes. However, in roofing, the pay is nearly equal with women earning $0.95 for every dollar.  

“When we come together we’re all just roofers, we’re part of the industry and we’re there for one goal just to help our communities...” Stephanie expressed to KOIN6.

Group members have worked on multiple projects that give back to others.  In December they assisted with a Habitat for Humanity build. Last spring they built tiny homes, known as pods, for the Kenton Women’s Village having partnered with Professional Women in Building and the Home Builders Association.  The Kenton Women’s Village is a collaborative approach to ending houselessness and providing services to women, assisting them in their transition to permanent housing once they leave the village.

Not only does NWIR encourage women, but they also encourage dedication to others.  People have benefited significantly from the work this group has done. “We want to give back to women, we want to give back in our communities so we’re really doing lots of things and it’s an aggressive movement,” Stephanie revealed. 

Learn more about joining National Women in  Roofing.

Do you know of someone in the industry who is ‘doing good deeds’ in their community? Help us catch them at it. Send news and information to info@rooferscoffeeshop.com.

About NWIR (National Women in Roofing)

National Women in Roofing (NWIR) is a volunteer-based organization that supports and advances the careers of women roofing professionals. We provide networking, mentoring, education and recruitment opportunities from the rooftop to the boardroom, for the young professional at the start of her career to the seasoned manager in the executive suite.

Our focus is on connecting and empowering women so that their training and leadership skills can help drive the overall betterment and professionalism of the roofing industry. Our membership also includes and welcomes men who support the inclusion of women in the roofing industry. Working together, we are bringing the industry to a new level of excellence by supporting and promoting the contributions of women as an essential component to the future of roofing.