Women come together for Women’s Build 2020

FOREST GROVE, OR (March 11th 2020) — Last Saturday, as part of Habitat for Humanity’s International Women Build Week, the local affiliate gathered thirty women to participate in the Women’s Build 2020 event. Bundled in coats and gloves we learned from our volunteer construction team to safely operate power tools such as a chop saw and nail gun. Then we built a new fence on the property of single Forest Grove woman, Margret.

Richard Kidd, previous mayor and dedicated volunteer with West Tuality Habitat led the tool and safety workshop in which he taught about safety precautions and instructed how to use a chop saw, nail gun, utility knife and more. Several of the women already have these tools at home and said “Now that I know how, I’ll have to get busy using them!”

After removing yard debris and old boards from the previous fence the team got to work on building the new fence. Cement from old fence posts had to be dug up and new cement poured and new posts leveled and installed. The women were taught to install brackets, trim boards and then nail them in to create the new fence. With so many hands working together we were able to complete the fence in a few hours.

We were honored to be joined by Mrs. Washington County, Selena Griffith. She fundraised for the event and helped spread the word to raise awareness for the many housing issues facing women and their families. Then she donned her toolbelt and worked side by side with us to learn and build.

Habitat for Humanity’s International Women Build week is sponsored by Lowe’s for the purpose of empowering women. We came together learned new skills, and made new friends all while serving our community.