History of NAWIC Nashville Chapter #16

1959-2007: Origins of the Nashville Chapter & Regional Growth and Evolution

The Nashville Chapter #16 of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) was chartered on January 31, 1959, with 32 founding members. It was the 16th chapter within the national organization, following the first chapter, which was established in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1955.

The chapter's formation was initiated by T.E. "Jack" Akers, owner of T.E. Akers & Company, a general contracting firm. After learning about NAWIC at a contractors’ meeting in Memphis, Mr. Akers recognized the benefits such an association could offer both employers and the women working in their offices. He encouraged his assistant, Marion “Friday” Beazley, to gauge interest among local women, leading to the commitment of 32 women to establish the chapter. Marion Beazley subsequently served as its first president.

At the 1960 NAWIC Annual Convention in Amarillo, Texas, the national association was divided into six regions, with Nashville placed in Region 2, which initially included Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and the Carolinas. Over the years, as more chapters were chartered, the regions were restructured to facilitate better communication. By 2004, there were 14 regions, with Nashville remaining in Region 2, which included Tennessee (east of the Tennessee River), Georgia, and Alabama. In 2014, Regions 2 & 3 were combined to be the Southeast Region. This added Florida to new regions.

From 1960-2007, the NAWIC Nashville Chapter firmly established itself as a vital part of both the construction industry and the broader Nashville community. Through education, mentorship, and service, its members upheld NAWIC’s mission, earning respect and recognition in their field. When the Recession of 2008 hit, NAWIC lost a lot of members. By 2013, the chapter only had 9 members and was on the verge of Closing. With the help of Andrea Nicholson, Nichole Jenkins, Ashley Spence, the chapter grew to 75 by 2022. Tiffany Wondrow came along and grew our chapter to 180 as of 2025.

2008–2011: The Recession

In 2008, a national recession caused companies across all NAWIC chapters to reconsider association memberships. During this time, many women were laid off from their construction jobs and were unable to maintain memberships. Despite these challenges, a dedicated group of women kept the Nashville chapter alive, including Patsy Smith, Susan Carson, Ruth Kjosa, Cindy Anderson, Carla Langley Smith, Dottie Northam, Kim Payne, Abbie Harper, Jenna Thomas, Michelle Thomas, Amy O'Brien, Ione Maltin, Amy Goldschmidt, Donna Brown, Kelsey Unland, Tiffany Collins, Kaylah Brown, and Andrea Nicholson.

To reduce costs, they held chili dinners and member meetings at their homes and offices. They also gathered regularly at Logan's Roadhouse for membership lunches and mixers, splitting the bill, and often featuring local construction industry experts as speakers. The AGC Middle TN and ASPE offices generously hosted officer installations, membership meetings, and events at no cost to the chapter. This group’s friendship and unwavering commitment kept the Nashville Chapter afloat. However, by 2011, the chapter's membership had dwindled to just six full members, putting the chapter at risk of losing its charter.

In May 2010, Nashville experienced a catastrophic 100-year flood. While devastating to the community, it brought much-needed FEMA funding and prompted Mayor Karl Dean to invest in a new downtown convention center. These investments stimulated construction and infrastructure projects in Nashville, reigniting interest in NAWIC membership.

In January 2011, the chapter faced another setback when Susan Carson passed away suddenly. As the sole name on the NAWIC scholarship accounts, her passing left the board with the difficult task of gaining access to the 501(c)(3) scholarship funds. Despite their grief, the board successfully worked to dissolve the non-profit and secure the scholarship funds, ensuring such a situation would not happen again. The local scholarships are still held in memory and in honor of NAWIC Nashville members Cordie Hughes, Susan Carson, and Patsy Smith.

2012–2016: The Rebound

2017-2025: The Boom!

Nashville has been experiencing a building boom with contractors moving in from all over the country to help us build Tennessee. During this time, NAWIC Nashville #16 has also experienced a boom in membership and excellence in chapter leadership. As of 2025, the Nashville Chapter is now the largest chapter in the nation and has successfully provided value to both field and office workers, English, and Spanish speakers. The chapter is known in the community for its dedication to the association’s mission: to strengthen and amplify the success of women in the construction industry.

Regional and National Contributions from the Nashville Chapter:

The NAWIC Nashville Chapter and its membership have made significant contributions to NAWIC at both regional and national levels for over 65 years:

Educational and Industry Engagement:

The NAWIC Nashville Chapter continually provides educational opportunities for its members and the construction industry, offering:

The chapter also promotes industry awareness among students through ongoing programs like:

NAWIC Nashville Community Involvement:

The Nashville Chapter prioritizes community service, engaging in projects over the past 65 years such as: