The beginnings of Women’s History Month in the United States can be traced back to the early 1900s. During that booming industrial time, women were critically debating oppression and inequality, which led to great unrest and demands for change. When these women sought shorter working hours, better pay and voting rights, their activism led to many changes, including our first National Woman's Day in 1909 and, eventually, the issuance of annual presidential proclamations designating March as Women’s History Month. Women's History Month is intended to honor women’s contributions throughout American history. With growing momentum, the movement grew over the next 100 years as women continued to seek equality, and the work continues today.

Women in Green

In USGBC’s West North Central region, we embrace Women’s History Month each year as we celebrate Women in Green.

In line with USGBC’s Women in Green 2023 theme, "Self-titled," this year we unapologetically celebrated, shared our experiences and honored women’s professional impact. We acknowledge the past while defining our own future—without altering who we are or asking permission.

Although there was great momentum in this movement over the last 100+ years, women across the globe continue to seek equality and better lives for themselves and their families. Through USGBC’s Women in Green platform, we gather and learn from others across fields, disciplines, generations and job titles.

This year was no exception.

USGBC Minnesota—March 8

This past International Women’s Day (IWD), March 8, gave USGBC Minnesota an opportunity to invite women in the region to join together and discuss and celebrate their contributions to the industry.

Shaking up the traditional program format, we tested out an entirely new approach—one in which attendees considered discussion prompts to help them tell their stories through a specific lens. Following small group work, we opened the mic and built our panel on the spot with audience members taking the spotlight.

Our emcee, Annie Perkins, led the charge by sharing her own story and encouraging audience members to take the mic. We heard amazing stories about work being done across the state to advance sustainability and equity and were honored to hear from so many women on how they manage everything from their health to their projects.

Our event in Minnesota was made possible by our sponsors: Clean Energy Business Economy, Cushing Terrell, CertainTeed and Pope Design Group.

A big thank you to Urban Growler for welcoming us back into their warm and inviting space to hold this great program.

USGBC Wisconsin—March 8

On the other side of the Mississippi River, the USGBC Wisconsin community co-hosted a Women in Sustainability Leadership event. This annual IWD celebration also brought together long-time partners—the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council’s Women in Sustainability, Evolution Marketing and USGBC Wisconsin—to deliver a digital event for over 100 registrants.

The group welcomed keynote speaker Monica Nakielski, vice president of sustainability at Advocate Health, who inspired and engaged attendees by sharing her observations and experience in navigating barriers to equity. She also shared tips to help us all move equity and sustainability forward in the workplace.

In the final portion of this interactive event, attendees broke into smaller discussion groups where they were challenged to reflect on the 2023 IWD theme #EmbraceEquity. They discussed how we can all challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias and seek out inclusion. By looking within their own spheres of influence, attendees left with a better understanding of how they can support others to be effective leaders and change makers in sustainability.

USGBC Wisconsin is eager to host an in-person Women in Green event later this year, during which attendees will be encouraged to continue to reflect and develop personal narratives while exploring how self-care enhances our ability to be strong leaders and allies.

USGBC Nebraska Flatwater—March 29

Our next celebration took place in Omaha, Nebraska, where we again opened the mic to create a panel following the workshop. We were lucky enough to be joined by one the original founders of our USGBC Nebraska Flatwater community: Amanda Bogner, president and founder of Energy Studio.

As our emcee, Bogner shared details on how she started her own business and the importance of women supporting women. Laura Houston was in the audience and shared her experience of being in, leaving and then returning to the green building industry. We heard from both emerging and tenured professionals and were challenged by new attendees to step outside our bubbles to bring women and organizations into our circle to make bigger strides in sustainability across the State of Nebraska.

We’re so thankful to our lead sponsor, Energy Studio, and our supporting sponsors, Morrissey Engineering, TUNE Facilities and Olsson, for making this event possible. A big thank you to our venue host, Saro Cider Lounge, as well, for sharing their beautiful location with us. Photos of the event are available on USGBC Nebraska Flatwater's LinkedIn page.

USGBC Central Plains—March 30

Wrapping up the USGBC West North Central region's Women’s History Month events, USGBC Central Plains held a Women in Green event in Kansas City, Missouri.

Market Leadership Advisory Board chair Erika Winters-Downey kicked off our workshop-style program with an interview with Julie Sayers. Sayers is one of four women partners of encompas (our host venue); a Lenexa, Kansas, city councilwoman; and a candidate for City of Lenexa mayor.

During small group activities, conversation was lively, with bursts of laughter and utterances of support and understanding across the room.

When it came time to open the microphone, Julie Peterson, director of USGBC market transformation and development for the Central Plains region, guided the audience through discussion prompts and opportunities to share. The on-the-spot panel focused on health and well-being and the importance of these to our collective success. We heard stories of career changes and life challenges, as well as obstacles—large and small—that had been overcome.

We are grateful to our sponsor and host encompas, as well as our supporting sponsors Hoefer Welker and Wellner Architects.

Join us at Greenbuild

In the coming months, we look forward to reconnecting at Greenbuild to dig deeper into ways to support and advocate for and with our peers.

Check out future West North Central region events

Celebrating Women’s History Month in the USGBC West North Central region