Richmond, Virginia Chapter #141 came into being on May 27, 1967 at The Jefferson Hotel with 40 charter members.  This chapter was established largely due to the efforts of Margaret Watkins, now deceased, of the Richmond Builders’ Exchange.  Eva Poling was the installing National Officer, and her chapter, Greater Washington, D. C. Chapter #67, in Region One, was our sponsoring chapter.

Chapter #141 was incorporated in 1969 as a nonprofit corporation.

We have hosted  (3)  Fall Planning Conferences:     1970, 1981, and 1988.

We have hosted  (4) Spring Forums:   1972, 1977, 1993, and 2002.  (Our first in 1972 was coordinated by Thelma (Bolton) Chandler, our attending Charter Member, who is twice Past President of Chapter #141).

The Richmond Chapter has sponsored and conducted four Introduction to Construction Courses with 113 people from all walks of life registering, Barbara McDonald was our guiding light in this undertaking. One of our members was chosen to critique the CCA textbook before it was published for our membership.  Arlene Paulette, not only did an exemplary job for the North Louisiana State University editors, (along with other hand picked members nationwide), but is the only member of our chapter to have been awarded the Certified Construction Associate Certificate. We have also conducted blue print reading classes for our members.  In the past few years seventeen of our members have passed the Construction Industry Technician exam.  We participate in WIC Week each year with a local job site visit as a learning experience for our members, followed by a dinner social.

Education and service are the key objectives for the association’s projects.  We have given scholarships through the years for various amounts and in 1979 – 80 reached a plateau of $500.00 per scholarship.  The funds for these awards were obtained from earnings on our memorial scholarship fund and golf tournament.  We have progressed over to years to our current scholarship program, funded solely by our golf tournament, doubling the  amount of each scholarship and increasing the number given.  Starting in the year 2000, we included a Trade School Scholarship along with our College Scholarships.  In 2004, we gave six College scholarships and four Trade School Scholarships.  Special scholarships are now awarded each year in memory of two former members, Judy Grigg and Betty Morris.

Our progress has not stopped with scholarships.  In 1991 – 1992 we had a National Winner of  The Block Kids Contest at the grade school level, where we encourage young students to use their imaginations to build their project.  He was Jason Deane of Chesterfield County, Virginia. We also conduct a Drafting Contest for High School Students to encourage them to follow directions and showcase their skills, whether hand drawn architectural design or CAD. The very same Jason Deane noted above just happened to be the First Place Winner of our Drafting Contest 2000 – 2001 for Hand Drawn Architectural Design!  Our efforts really show results!

In more recent years we have been very successful with implementation of the Building Design Program first started in local Middle Schools, and now carrying over into High Schools as well.  Our hats are off to several current members for the success of this program; namely, Susan States, Mary Ann Petry-CIT, and former member Becky Hansell.  Susan States got us started in the Henrico County School system; we now have Chesterfield County School system participating as well.  Mary Ann Petry-CIT and Becky Hansell worked diligently to improve the program originally provided by NAWIC National, upgrading information, providing realistic budget allowances, increasing allowable square footage, and recommending and providing good reference sources, basic tools, and materials to start the project.  They provided speaker lists to the teachers, and have encouraged the NAWIC Representatives to actively participate in their school’s program. 

We have participated in various civic projects such as Christmas in April, Habitat for Humanity, and VCU Medical Center's Child Life Program, Hospitality House and VTCC Accessible Playground Project.

Richmond Chapter #141 has endeavored to maintain and project a professional business image throughout its history.  We have tried to reach out to those organizations involved in and with our industry in order to promote our ideals and influence the industry by providing educational awareness.  We have participated in many of the CSI shows over the past three decades.  We have judged both the masonry and carpentry contests at the State Fair of Virginia for U.S. Skills each year.  We have worked with a local community college, J. Sergeant Reynolds, to develop a brochure attracting women to non-traditional careers and trades in construction. 

We have grown from our previous Bosses’ Night Annual Gala Celebration that actually began our first year in 1967 to what we now know as Industry Appreciation Night.  We take this opportunity to invite our members and their guests to view our many accomplishments over the past year, particularly in the area of Education.  We showcase the results and winners of our Block Kids, Drafting and Building Design Programs and award our Scholarships.  We display and report on our various civic project, NAWIC Educational opportunities, and NAWIC activities throughout the year.  This has become quite the production in recent years!  Due to the efforts of Susan States, Ann Vass-CIT, Mary Ann Petry-CIT, and many other active members, it is pulled off without a flaw every year! 

Richmond Chapter #141 has chartered three chapters in Virginia.  Under the leadership of one of our Charter Members, Augusta Nash, Roanoke Valley, VA., and Tri-City Petersburg Chapters were chartered. Our very own Susan States was instrumental in chartering the Manassas-Bull Run, VA. Chapter on January 27, 1990.  As we recently witnessed at last year’s Spring Forum, Roanoke Valley Chapter No. 226 has survived and is still going strong today.  Susan States is currently working with women in the Fredericksburg, Virginia and Charlottesville, Virginia areas that are trying to establish new NAWIC chapters.

The Annual Golf Tournament tradition began in 1979, and thus far we have successfully continued the tradition.  The very first tournament was staged by Betty Morris and Wanda Davis.  In recent years, our golf tournaments have been successfully staged by Angie Bell-CIT and Mickey Ford-CIT.  They surpassed our fundraising goals each time.  Previously our current members Gerri Nolan, and Susan States have successfully chaired the Ways and Means Committee that coordinates our Annual Golf Tournament.

A big part of the reason for our Golf Tournament’s success in recent years cannot be overlooked!  For many years now we have had the exclusive services of our own catering team, Elsie and Emmett Gray, along with the help of their own Food Committee.  We are talking major good eats here, always receiving rave reviews from our participants!  We will miss their hard work and dedication for years to come!

We can’t talk about our history as a chapter without including our founding principals handed down from NAWIC National.  We are proud to be members of such a great organization and dynamic group of women.

Our 2004–2005 NAWIC year has begun with many exciting changes.  We are moving forward with our Strategic Planning Committee's recommendations for an even better NAWIC Chapter #141.  We have more active members than ever before. 

Our talents and wisdom grow with the years.  We continue that growth as active NAWIC members.  We advise new members to use all the tools available to learn more about our association.  Our roster has information needed such as a Calendar of Events, Lists of Standing Committees, Special Committees, Present Officers and Board of Directors, Past Presidents, Members, Member Protocol, Standing Rules, Chapters in Region 11 and their Presidents, and NAWIC Facts. 

We advise new members to read all newsletters, attend Conference, Forum and Convention!  Share ideas!  Serve on Committees!  Participate in NAWIC Programs.  Become a part of NAWIC History!