MAYHEW – Trades comprise nine of the top 10 occupations with the smallest share of female workers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
FORGE’s BuildHER Construction Camp is working hard to change that.
The camp targets girls ages 11-14, hoping to help young women step out of their comfort zone and learn new skills that will make them feel more confident and capable of pursuing careers in construction-related fields.
“(It’s) more than likely not every (camper) is going to go into the construction industry,” FORGE Executive Director Melinda Lowe told The Dispatch on Monday at East Mississippi Community College-Golden Triangle campus. “We get that, but we’re giving them life skills. We’re giving them the ability to build confidence and know that they themselves can do some of this work, whether it be as a career or if it’s just something at home.”
Now in its third year, Lowe said they’ve figured out what works and what doesn’t, deciding to cap the camp at 16 participants for the sake of focus and efficiency and modifying the structure of the group project to better suit each camper’s needs.
Throughout the week, campers will have the opportunity to learn from skilled trade professionals, conduct hands-on work, visit a job site at the Howell Hall Building Construction Science building on Mississippi State University’s campus and receive advice regarding financial literacy and career development from women leaders in the field.
“We’re just building that confidence,” Lowe said. “… Females (are) an underrepresented group of individuals in our industry, and we want them to see that they have a place at the table.”
FORGE is a nonprofit born from local construction companies who promote skilled trades and build career readiness across Mississippi. The BuildHER camp gives girls an opportunity to put a hard hat on and see what construction is all about.
The campers’ core project is constructing a bathroom by laying concrete, building two walls, installing a light fixture and switch, painting and plumbing in a sink. While the bathroom is just for practice, it gives the girls a chance to get their hands dirty and see what construction work is really like.
Jada Brown, 15, a student at West Lowndes High School, has participated in the camp in some capacity every year. She attended in 2024 as a camper then returned the last two years as a student mentor.
“As a student mentor… you know how things are going to go,” Brown said. “… You get to help other kids get out of their shells and … (teach) them things that you know from your first experience.”
Camper Emma Reynolds, 12, a student at Heritage Academy, said that her parents work for Phillips Contracting so her interest in construction started young. She said she looks forward to seeing all the pieces that have to come together to make a house.
“I’ve learned how to … spread concrete and now we’re learning how to do nails,” Reynolds said. “… I’ve liked it a lot so far. It’s been really fun to see how adults really work in construction.”
Camper Maddy Mazahreh, 13, who attends Starkville Christian School, said she’s enjoyed getting to make new friends who also have an interest in construction.
“It’s been really fun pouring concrete, but also meeting new people who have the same interests as me … that’s been really nice,” Mazahreh said.
Camp will conclude with a skills competition where girls show off the projects they’ve been working on and flex their nail driving and tape measuring skills. One lucky camper will take home her very own Milwaukee impact driver.
Lowe said she hopes the girls come away from the camp with new friends, confidence in their abilities and more tools in their toolbox.
“I want these young ladies to leave here feeling confident,” Lowe said. “I want them to be more knowledgeable in understanding not only our industry but (also) life skills.”
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
