The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has announced the recipients of its 15th annual Crystal Vision Awards, which recognize professionals who promote, expand, and encourage the role of women in the construction industry. Two awards are bestowed each year: the Crystal Vision Award—given to a non-member of NAWIC—and the Crystal Achievement Award—given to a NAWIC member.
The winner of the 2009 Crystal Vision Award is Judith Ritter, president and owner of Ritter Contracting, a commercial union subcontracting firm in Southampton, Pa. Catherine Escobar, owner/general partner of Escobar & Escobar Concrete Construction in Salinas, Calif., as well as C & C Concrete Pumping and Advanced Concrete Equipment, LLP, has won the 2009 Crystal Achievement Award.
Both Ritter and Escobar have modeled successful business practices and have contributed their time, resources, and mentoring skills to industry organizations and individuals.
Ritter, considered a pioneer in advancing the role of women in construction, was the first woman to have sole ownership of a union construction firm in the Philadelphia area, according to NAWIC. Over the past 16 years, Ritter’s company has participated in the construction of many of Philadelphia’s most important commercial buildings, all the while maintaining a high level of professionalism and quality and exceeding mandated percentages of women and minorities working on projects. She supports other small business owners through her work with the General Building Contractors Association, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Ritter has helped develop systems with these organizations that help small, woman- and minority-owned businesses gain necessary networking opportunities and skills.
Escobar, a 36-year member of NAWIC, has served various NAWIC chapters in multiple roles, including president and vice president in Anchorage, Ala., and Monterey Bay, Calif., and as a member of the board of directors in Portland, Ore. She was one of the founders of the Mission Trails Regional Occupational Program/Salinas High School Construction Academy, and sits on its advisory board as well as on those for the Alisal High School Engineering Academy and several others. As a mentor, she encourages interested young people to get involved in the construction industry. Escobar also is an active member with various levels of participation in the Associated General Contractors of California and the Salinas Valley Builders Exchange.
Ritter’s and Escobar’s achievements will be honored during the 15th Annual Crystal Vision Awards Gala at NAWIC’s 54th Annual Convention in Phoenix, Az., on Aug. 29, 2009.
