History

On July 2, 1983 in Northern Minnesota, 11 women came together from across the nation to discuss the formation of a new organization to serve women construction owners and executives.

The women were all members of various construction-related groups and organizations. But the feeling among them was unanimous. The organizations to which they belonged were all valuable in some way. Yet none filled the single need to further the goals of women owners and executives in construction.

The Purpose

At that meeting and the next one in October 1983 in Chicago, the same 11 women came together and developed these principles:

• To promote the role of Women Business Enterprises (WBE) in the construction industry
• To assist women in executive management positions within the industry
• To provide resources to enhance the professional development of every member
• To create a legislative network to monitor and pursue legislation advantageous to the business community and the construction industry
• To encourage professional standards and member responsibility within the industry

The Charter

On January 20, 1984, the Articles of Incorporation of WCOE, USA, a non-profit organization, were filed in the state of Washington.

Less than one month later, the new WCOE, USA Executive Board held its first meeting in Las Vegas, where the organization’s Bylaws were approved and adopted and its officers elected. The headquarters, where daily operations were to be performed, were located initially in Spokane, WA.

At the Charter Meeting and Conference in October 1984, 69 women signed the WCOE, USA charter. Representatives from the White House, Department of Transportation, Department of Housing & Urban Development, Department of Energy and successful business owners filled the program.

The Founders

• Joanne Blystone, CEO, Blystone Equipment, Spokane, WA
• Barbara Bryant
• Jan Burger
• Carol Burhoe, CEO, DW Burhoe Construction, Santa Paula, CA
• Dorothy Erickson (deceased), President, Nationwide Construction, Inc., San Francisco, CA
• Marjorie Herter, President, VeeSee Construction, Oak Lawn, IL
• Donna Meidling, CEO, Meidling Concrete, Spokane, WA
• Judy Schuh
• Nina Tate, President, NCCI, Paramount, CA
• Myrtle Willey, President, TW Dick Company, Gardiner, ME
• Michelle Zoerner