Canadian Association of Women in Construction celebrates 10 th anniversary Thriving, dynamic organization overcomes barriers and creates opportunities for relationships, community service From its early 1982 roots as the Toronto chapter 295 of the U.S.-based National Association of Women in Con- struction (NAWIC), the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) has grown to be a thriving and dy- namic organization representing approximately 200 mem- bers. Formed in 2005, this year CAWIC celebrates its tenth an- niversary with a look back at its evolution and accomplish- ments. FOUNDING HISTORY Elizabeth Johnston, the Toronto chapter's founding pres- ident, says CAWIC's early foundation reflected a significant concern in the industry at the time. “I came from Poland where gender was not an issue. Working alongside my husband in construction here I was surprised to find what a barrier it was and how isolating.” Starting the Toronto chapter proved initially as challeng- ing as working in the industry. Johnston says 15 women were required to officially create the chapter but it took more than a year to secure the minimum membership commitments, in part she believes because women feared the repercussions membership might have with their em- ployers. “There was also a sense among some of the women that they didn’t feel worthy of having their own as- sociation; didn’t see their value in the workplace.” Johnston added that then-Mississauga mayor Hazel Mc- Callion was a great supporter of the pioneering effort. The Canadian Design and Construction Report — April-May 2015 – 25