Women Build: Investing In Our Community

The theme of this year's campaign is Women Build: Investing in Our Community. Local women will work alongside Habitat staff and partner families to build a simple, decent, affordable home in our community. The effects of this program are threefold: an improvement in the local housing situation; the recruitment and training of women to build and maintain affordable homes; and a promising future for a Habitat homeowner and family.

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What are ways to get involved with the Women Build program?

Advocacy

You can get involved with Women Build and never enter a construction site. Volunteers are needed to help raise funds and awareness to support building the home. Organizing and supporting a fundraising event is a great way to show your Women Build support. Examples of advocacy participation include: fundraising initiatives, program outreach support, building partnerships, personal campaigns.

Special Events

Special events are often the biggest fundraisers and community outreach projects. Volunteers are needed to coordinate and support the success of special events for Women Build. Examples of special event participation include: organizing/hosting an event, invitation support, donations of food/materials, event promotions, share your talents (music, art, etc.)

Build

If you don’t have any construction skills, don’t worry! Many women come to Women Build sites with no construction skills and make a great impact. Training and tools are provided. Examples of advocacy participation include: coordinating meals for build site, construction, painting, landscaping, donating materials, share your talents (photography, etc).

Donor Support

In addition to fundraising events, the Women Build Program relies on the support of the community through business and individual sponsorships to reach our goals. Please take the time to review our Women Build Sponsorship Packet.

Thanks to our Pink Hammer Sponsors:
George & Ruth Koch, Lanie Bobo, Marcia Caskey, Adele Algeo, Sarajane Love, Mary Erlanger, Leah Leggett, Brenda Blanton, Pauline Juul, Mable Mitchell, Dianne Wright, Karen Prasse, Anonymous, Cathy Wisenbaker, Carolyn Poole, Diane Adams

Thanks to our Bronze Hammer Sponsors:
Christine Langone, Cathianne Watkins & Jeffery Fisher, George & Linda Kuhlman
Georgia Medical Massage

Thanks to our Silver Hammer Sponsors:
Oconee State Bank

Thanks to our Gold Hammer Sponsors:
R.E.M.
Lowe's
Samuel and Sharon Nickols

Our Ambassadors

Mayor Heidi Davison, Honorary Chair

History of Women Build

1991: A group of women in Charlotte, North Carolina, complete the first women-built Habitat for Humanity house.

1997: As part of the Jimmy Carter Work Project, U.S. first lady Hillary Clinton, Kentucky first lady, Libby Jones, and Oklahoma first lady Cathy Keating participate in a Women Build. The idea for Habitat’s First Ladies Build was born.

1998: Habitat for Humanity International officially forms the Women Build department, which hosts the First Ladies Build. Women governors and first ladies from all 50 states join Habitat for Humanity to build houses with families in need.

2001: Women Build launches “Women Build A Legacy.” States’ first ladies, celebrities, and women from all walks of life swing hammers to actively address the problem of children in poverty.

2006: Women Build’s “First Families Building Homes Across America” unites women volunteers with governors’ spouses, local and statewide leaders to construct Habitat homes in every U.S. state and the District of Columbia. 52 homes are built throughout the country.

2007: Women Build volunteers build more than 200 houses. 2008: Lowe’s sponsors National Women Build Week, held in the days leading up to Mother’s Day. More than 6, 000 women volunteers participate at more than 150 Habitat affiliates across the United States.

Today: More than 1,400 official Women Builds have been completed since 1998.

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