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WCA History


WCA History

 

The Women Contractors Association (WCA) was founded in 1996 in Houston, Texas.  A small group of women joined together to ensure that the City of Houston and other Texas agencies did not eliminate women owned business from minority participation goals.  WCA has continued to support women in construction since its inception, through education, support and networking.

 

In 2009 when the City of Houston removed the WBE goals from construction due to the results of a disparity study conducted that year, WCA members met with City Council and the Affirmative Action Department to stress the importance of the goal being reinstated.  Their efforts, along with other like-minded organizations in Houston, resulted in the City of Houston commissioning a new disparity study and the restructure of Affirmative Action to the Office of Business Opportunity.  The new disparity study, finally completed in 2012, showed a 50% drop in the utilization of woman owned business since the WBE goals was removed.  Armed with these results,  the City of Houston finally put the “W” back into the MWBE Construction Contract Goals.  On May 8, 2013, Mayor Parker and City Council, unanimously approved amendments to Chapter 15 Code of Ordinances, which governs the City's Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) program and a new citywide participation goal for construction contracts was increase construction contracts goals from 14% to 34%. 

 

In 2014 WCA held several meetings with the Houston Independent School District (HISD) officials to discuss issues with work conducted under previous bond elections.  It is our goal to ensure that all issues have been addressed prior to work starting under the 2012 bond.  We will continue to monitor the processes and will keep our members updated.

 

The WCA is not satisfied with the status quo of acceptance of women within the construction industry. To make an impact, we are committed to promoting women in leadership roles, educating outsiders about the successful role of women in the industry and creating strong role models, mentors and leaders for future women to enter the construction arena.

 

In addition to being the voice of women in construction, WCA offers a variety of education and networking events to ensure the growth of our members. 

 

For more information on the Women Contractors Association, contact Susan Repka, Executive Director, at director@womencontractors.org or visit our website at www.womencontractors.org