Lori Leite, owner of Woman’s Work Construction, recalls being drawn to making things by hand and working outdoors since she was young, having been raised around horses. But when she tried to take classes in mechanics or carpentry, she faced closed doors: Those classes were not open to the girls.

In her late teens, she had started thinking — what, exactly, is a woman’s work? “I heard that so much, even at school,” she said. “(My business) is a way for me to say, ‘It doesn’t really matter, anything I want to do against these stereotypes is a woman’s work’”

Leite started in commercial construction at a project in Seattle, and found it difficult to obtain journeyman level, but she persevered. Eventually, after working in construction for several years, she made her way to a power company, and encountered so much discrimination as a woman, she “soured on being employed.” Woman’s Work Construction, based in Port Orchard, was the result of her trying to bring back her self-esteem. The company started with remodels in 1993 but has since progressed to new construction, which is now the main focus.

Leite had taught repair classes to women for five years through the Bremerton parks department. “There is a lot more interest for women to do these things than thought,” she said. “Women need to get past the glass ceiling in these jobs.”

Judy Gates, who with husband Joe owns Joe Gates Construction Inc. and UBuildIt, has been in construction full-time for 15 years. First staring out as a bookkeeper and office manager for Joe Gates Construction, which is now in its 18th year, she has advanced her knowledge in the industry through the years. Now, her primary focus is on managing the client process, from blueprints and material selections to site meetings.

Gates says she still feels resistance sometime from men who don’t know her, but after about 15 minutes or so they realize she does know her “stuff.” Gates learned a lot of it through hands-on experience: She went out into the field and helped frame and do other jobs, so she could understand the terminology and the work. Her increased involvement has helped the company’s growing success. “I don’t think you can hire someone who cares about your business as much as you do,” she said.

Gates first became fascinated by construction when she and her husband, while getting married, decided to build their home together. She still loves “seeing something come out of nothing.”

Building a house, however, is not necessarily about nail and hammers, she said: It’s more about organization and management. “I think women are great at it,” she said. “More women should try construction; I think they would enjoy it.”

Fae Smith, assistant executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Kitsap County (HBA), first got a taste of the construction field after moving to Kitsap from Nebraska in 1991 and working for Robison Plumbing. She enjoyed the industry, and in 1997 became the HBA’s event coordinator, then moved on to the Pierce County Master Builders Association.

In 2001, Smith was lured back to the Kitsap HBA, taking the job of the membership director. “I like the small feel of Kitsap County,” she said.

Since her return, the HBA membership has grown by nearly 200 members, and has been recognized statewide by the Building Industry Association (BIAW) as well as nationwide by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) for its recruitment efforts. Part of Smith’s strategy is to meet with prospective members one on one.

As the assistant executive vice president, Smith also organizes the HBA’s special events, which include the annual Home & Garden Expo held at the Kitsap Pavilion, the Parade of Homes, and, new this year in July, a bike and rally run. “It is hectic and a lot of work but it can be very rewarding,” she said.