Women Build: Empowering women through homebuilding initiatives
- Fayetteville Habitat
- Mar 19
- 4 min read
International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity celebrated the strength of women for three days teaching them DIY electrical, drywall, and plumbing skills.
Despite the cold wind on the first day of our event, the women participants were still determined to save costs on their home repairs. Dressed in purple to signify justice and dignity, with green symbolizing hope and white representing purity, these colors represent International Women's Day. Each participant warmed the space with smiles, being happy to learn something new.
CALL A PLUMBER!!
The average cost for plumbing, electrical, and drywall repairs can vary widely depending on the scope of work. According to Angie's List, plumbers charge clients based on the time, expertise, and materials needed to complete a task. In most cases, labor accounts for the largest chunk of a plumbing budget. Hiring a plumber can be as little as $99 or as high as $950, but most homeowners pay around $336. Minor repairs for a leaky faucet or clogged drain can cost $125 to $350. The women who participated in our build event learned how to troubleshoot garbage disposal and replace and tighten pipes under sinks, turning on the running water with loud gratification. In the same station rotation, led by a woman-led business with Nelcia from NC Thomas Home Repair and Tracy of More Life Investments, each group was hands-on replacing a toilet with accessories like the wax ring, to the toilet flush valve.
More than anything, the encouragement from each group gave each woman strength to complete the task they once thought they couldn't do. With hands folded and at moments phones on record, participants were focused on DIY like never before. So never mind, do NOT call the plumber!
First thought is electrocution. Oh no, NOT doing it!
Electrical work can be scary to touch if you've never been trained properly. The recommendations by CDC that Rick, the COO of FAHFH, and Taryn, an HBI graduate, taught was the proper way to use an AC voltage tester and GFCI outlet tester to verify that the electrical power is off, how to de-energize electrical circuits before doing any type of work, and the use of lockout devices to prevent a circuit from becoming energized. The most frightening aspect of electricity repair is the potential for severe injury. Electrical injuries can be fatal. There are four main types of electrical injuries:
Electrocution (fatal)
Electric shock
Burns/Arc blast
Falls from height
In Fayetteville, NC, expect electrician hourly rates to range from $50 to $130. This covers the cost of the electrician's travel and initial assessment of the issue. At our women's build event, the basic electrical class showed smoke detector testing, replacing light switches, light fixtures, and outlets, which stayed in the DIY electrical work. It showed how women can save money within their comfort and skill level. "That's it?! is what Karen "Kay" said with joy when she realized how simple the task was of safely verifying that the circuit was de-energized, preventing electrical shock. Beyond basic repairs or replacements, prioritize safety and consult with a professional. FTCC offers continuing education for basic residential electrical wiring, which we highly recommend for all homeowners or people interested in learning about their home's electricity.
Bernadine Brown is the regional career development coordinator for Home Builders Institute (HBI). She stated how HBI appreciates Habitat for giving transitioned service members, like Taryn, an opportunity to learn and improve the craft of building. Myquel, whose husband is an HBI graduate, attended with her daughter, Carolynah, leaving with inspiration and encouragement to tackle at-home projects together.
A small hole is no longer a large job to repair drywall.
Each woman felt a sense of accomplishment repairing drywall from a hammered hole in the wall, they created, to complete a new smooth surface. A bit of dust added construction highlights to the women's hair—courtesy of a satisfying drywall fix!
Ladies received instruction from Sonia, NC Thomas Home Repair, with a detailed breakdown of what kind of joint compound and spackle to use and how to prep it. With a small hole or dent costing $50 to $150 to repair, this DIY drywall station gave women a sense of pride in fixing a simple hole. Along with the steps shown to patch a hole, the participants were also demonstrated how to add a piece of wood with a screw to hold it in place, if working by themselves, as a makeshift stud to repair a bigger hole. Home contractor, Mona with Flipping 4 Girls, was a participant on the first day, and the other two days assisted with her techniques on repairing drywall.
In attendance, were Sampson County Community College female construction students alongside their building construction instructor, Carla Colin. With appreciation, they complimented FAHFH stating "We truly loved every station and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be involved in such a well-planned hands-on, and inspiring experience." Although Carla is their classroom instructor, she became the student's classmate while helping with station tasks and joking about who did the better repair on the drywall.
MISSION COMPLETE
To wrap up the Women Build event, participants built a step stool with a personal stain or paint finish to add a nice touch, giving participants something practical and memorable to take home. Walking away with many pictures, informative details, newly formed relationships, and a solid wooden step stool, Women Build 2025 with Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity is a success.
FAHFH extends special thanks to our sponsors. As we prayed for a successful event, we were blessed by the generous support of “local” businesses and the local church, “Snyder Memorial Baptist Church” that contributed to our vision.
Ashley R. Thompson, Director of Marketing
To learn more about how you can participate in upcoming build activities, please visit our website at fayettevillenchabitat.org or call us at (910) 483-0952.
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