A prime opportunity available for prime contractors
Women’s History Month is gaining momentum in its recognition of women’s contributions over time, and for good reason. Women have come a long way. Yet, as the old saying goes, we still have a long way to go.
Across the built environment, the next phase of progress will depend on broadened access to opportunity. It will also depend on how the industry, particularly prime contractors, supports women-owned businesses as they grow, compete and lead. A look back makes clear that opening doors was, and still is, only the beginning of what it takes for firms to succeed.
A century ago, or before, women were a miniscule presence in the overall workforce and typically limited to roles with little authority or visibility. Leadership opportunities and professional roles were virtually unheard of, and the proverbial glass ceiling wasn’t even a notion. In architecture, engineering, construction and infrastructure, that reality was even more pronounced. Only a handful of women worked in these fields, and even fewer owned firms or led projects.
Nevertheless, women persisted.
In Portland, architect Margaret Goodin Fritsch established one of the state’s earliest architectural practices led by a woman. In Salem, Elizabeth Lord and Edith Schryver co-founded a landscape architecture firm that helped shape civic and residential environments across the region. And in Vancouver, Washington, Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart led the design and construction of hospitals, schools and other essential community institutions across the Pacific Northwest. These women and a handful of other trailblazers in the region helped normalize the role of women leading developments that served growing populations and communities.
In the decades that followed, barriers that once limited women’s ability to start and grow businesses began to ease. Access to capital expanded, and practices that once required women to rely on male co-signers or intermediaries gradually gave way to more equitable systems.
Today, women-owned firms are a growing part of the built environment. While they still represent a small share of the industry, their presence reflects meaningful progress. Federal and state certification programs have helped expand the number of women-owned firms participating in architecture, engineering, construction and infrastructure projects. Oregon’s Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity and Washington’s Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises have created clear pathways into public contracting, making it easier for firms to access opportunities and be identified by project teams.
But let’s be clear: certification is only the beginning. While these programs have increased participation, they do not necessarily track how many firms grow, scale or remain in the market over time. Many businesses can gain initial access but still face the day-to-day realities of managing cash flow, maintaining a workforce and navigating complex procurement processes. Some firms grow. Others stall or fail before reaching their full potential.
The value women-owned firms bring to the industry extends far beyond any program or guideline. When these businesses can compete and grow, the entire built environment benefits.
Demand for housing, transportation systems, utilities and civic infrastructure continues to rise, even as the industry faces workforce shortages, supply chain constraints and an aging base of firms and leadership. Meeting these demands will require strengthening the pipeline of businesses able to deliver complex projects. Supporting the growth and participation of women-owned firms is one of the most practical ways to do that.
For prime contractors, the opportunity is clear. Moving beyond participation and toward partnership helps ensure these firms are positioned to grow and succeed over time.
What does that partnership look like in practice?
It can begin with something as simple as engaging women-owned firms earlier in the process, when there is more flexibility to shape scopes of work and align teams for success. Early engagement allows firms to contribute more meaningfully and positions them to build the experience needed to grow. It also creates space for their expertise to be fully integrated into project decision-making and leadership, strengthening outcomes for the entire team.
It also means right-sizing scopes of work so firms can perform effectively and build capacity over time. When opportunities are structured with growth in mind, firms are better able to invest in their workforce, strengthen operations and pursue larger, more complex projects in the future.
Consistency matters as well. Repeat work, mentorship and joint venture opportunities can provide the stability smaller firms need to scale. These relationships help build not only technical capability, but also the past performance and confidence required to compete at higher levels.
Equally important are fair and transparent business practices. Clear procurement processes and prompt payment can make a meaningful difference for firms managing cash flow and investing in their teams. These are practical steps that support day-to-day operations while enabling long-term growth.
Taken together, these actions support individual businesses. Over time, they strengthen the overall performance of the built environment by expanding the pool of capable firms, reinforcing supply chains and developing the next generation of industry leaders.
Women’s History Month offers a moment to reflect on how far the industry has come. It also presents an opportunity to be strategic about what comes next. The foundation has been firmly established by women who led despite structural barriers that limited their ability to do so, and by the many women who are boldly leading across the built environment today. The work ahead is to build upon that foundation through stronger partnerships across project teams, including prime contractors, so women-owned firms are positioned to grow, compete and lead. When that happens, the entire built environment stands to benefit.
Originally published March 20, 2026 as part of Kelliann’s Oregon DJC “Women at Work” series.
