Biography

The National Association of Women in Construction provides a forum in which women who are employed or own businesses in the construction industry can "exchange ideas and enjoy stimulating programs." The Des Moines Chapter was chartered in July of 1963, with the stated objectives of bringing together women in construction to encourage cooperation and better understanding among them, and "to promote fellowship and goodwill among members of the organization." Mrs. Maryjo Welch, secretary in the Paul A. Walters engineering firm, was elected the chapter's first president. Most ofthe original dues-paying members worked in the support staffs of various architectural, engineering and contracting firms. They attended club meetings once a month, in which guest speakers who were industry professionals spoke or screened short films educating the women about the latest developments in the industry. The club also organized dinners, luncheons, cocktail parties, and other social activities. Officers of the club attended out-of-state conventions sponsored by the National Association of Women in Construction. The club also organized short workshops on technical topics, with the idea that "the more we know about it, the more valuable we are to our bosses."

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