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March is Women’s History Month, an annual observance to recognize and celebrate the integral contributions of women throughout history, which have shaped today’s society as we know it. March offers an opportunity to celebrate Women’s achievements, raise awareness about discrimination, and take action to drive gender parity. This month also brings International Women's Day on March 8th, 2025, a global observance that shines a light on the women’s rights movement, including advocacy for reproductive rights and the fight against violence and abuse amongst women.
As we honor and celebrate women during this significant time, it's important to remember the impact of significant historical figures in various fields. One such area where women have made an undeniable difference is in affordable housing and housing advocacy. In this blog, we shine a light on various influential figures throughout history who have made great strides in affordable housing, such as Biddy Mason, Catherine Bauer, Patricia Roberts Harris, Rosalynn Carter, and more.
Here at Habitat for Humanity of Chester County (HFHCC), we are proud to support the empowerment of women in our community through our homeownership and homeowner education programs. Our work is a driving force in providing safe and affordable homes in which women and all people alike can find refuge and raise a family. Here in Chester County, 65% of our Habitat Families are led by single mothers, and 53% of those single-parent families are led by minority women. We work to provide equity in the form of safe, affordable living conditions for all people! Our work would not be possible without the unwavering support of our dedicated volunteers. Amongst them, our passionate women volunteers make an extraordinary impact. Whether they’re committing up to 40 hours a week with their selfless dedication or just beginning their journey with us by joining a Women Build Day, each one plays a vital role in advancing our mission and making a lasting difference.
Celebrating Our Women Volunteers
At Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, our volunteers are our mission's heart and soul. Our dedicated women volunteers make an incredible impact, whether on the construction site, at the ReStores, or in countless other ways. They go above and beyond each and every day, working tirelessly, sometimes almost 40 hours a week, without expecting anything in return.
In November 2024, we had the honor of hosting our Volunteer Appreciation Event, where we celebrated the outstanding contributions of these remarkable individuals. It was a touching occasion where we recognized some of our most committed volunteers with the prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Awards, a national program that acknowledges those whose service leaves a lasting and meaningful impact in their communities.
In 2024, we were incredibly proud to honor 29 of our exceptional volunteers with the following national awards:
- 13 volunteers at the Bronze Level (100-249 hours of service)
- 8 volunteers at the Silver Level (250-499 hours of service)
- 6 volunteers at the Gold Level (500+ hours of service)
- 2 volunteers at the Lifetime Level (4,000+ hours over a lifetime)
Through their selfless dedication to helping others, these strong women are not only helping to construct homes but also laying the groundwork for future generations to thrive and succeed.
The Women Build Program
One of the most empowering ways we celebrate women at Habitat for Humanity of Chester County is through our Women Build Program. Our Women Build program isn’t just about hammers and nails—it’s about fostering an environment where women can take ownership of the building process and be a part of something transformative. This initiative invites women from all walks of life to take action, not only in building homes but also in building confidence in themselves. It’s about creating opportunities for women to learn new skills, engage in meaningful community work, and make an impact on families in need of affordable housing.
In 2023 and 2024, we hosted three incredibly successful Women Builds. Below is a brief recap of the highlights from each build and a few quotes from our inspirational participants’ experiences:
June 2023 Women Build: This build saw an incredible team of local businesswomen come together to contribute to the construction of affordable housing in our Fuller Meadows Development in West Grove, PA. Notable local leaders like Betsy Niedziejko, Senior Vice President of WSFS Bank and Board Member of HFHCC, coordinated this build day. Women from the Exton Region Chamber of Commerce came out to help build stairs and install pex pipes for homes in the 4th phase of this development.
Laurie Ryan, President of the Exton Region Chamber of Commerce, reflected on her meaningful experience:
“Participating in a Women's Build for Habitat for Humanity of Chester County was an incredibly rewarding and transformative experience for me. Despite having no background in construction, I was provided with the necessary instruction and tools to build steps and run PEX lines to supply water to two entire townhouses, all alongside other amazing women and some trusty power tools.
The following year, I gratefully returned to finish building equipment storage sheds and had the unique opportunity to tour the completed house I had helped build. Seeing the home ready for a family to purchase and start building generational wealth was deeply moving.
This experience was gratifying in countless ways. The messages of hope and love that we added to the studs of the house remain hidden beneath the drywall, just as the impact of this experience continues to live in my heart.”
- Laurie Ryan, President of the Exton Region Chamber of Commerce.
September 2023 Women Build: We were once again joined by an amazing group of Chester County businesswomen. The teamwork, enthusiasm, and sense of camaraderie made this build one to remember. Every nail hammered and pipe installed is a small step toward creating a better future for a family in need of an affordable home.
Courtney Babcock, Director of Sales at Chester Couty Toursism, shares her takeaways from the empowering experience:
“It was an amazing day all around! I worked with several inspiring women who taught me skills that helped me work smarter, not harder. From my experience, I was inspired (and felt confident enough) to install a shiplap inside my newly renovated kitchen at home. I was sad when the day ended.”
- Courtney Babcock, Director of Sales Chester County Tourism.
May 2024 Women Build: The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the Exton Region Chamber of Commerce, the Oxford Chamber, and the Phoenixville Chamber all came together for a Women Build in May 2024.
Katie Walker, President of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, shared her inspiring experience:
“Participating in Habitat’s Women Build was an incredible experience—coming together with strong, dedicated women to make a real impact in our community was truly inspiring. It was a day of empowerment, teamwork, and making a difference, and I’m grateful to have been part of it!”
- Katie Walker, President of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce.
Nicole Lyddane, VP of Sales and Leasing at Swope Lees Commercial Real Estate, also shared her experience:
“I have taken part in 3 separate on-site days, and they are my favorite! We always have so much fun as a group. Bryan and Milby are the best - they're patient, funny, helpful, and great at leading volunteers. The days on-site are wonderful opportunities for team building and learning skills that you will truly feel proud of - like roofing, framing, plumbing, and carpentry. Not to mention, you are there working on a home that is going to change someone's life. What could be better than that?
- Nicole Lyddane, VP of Sales and Leasing at Swope Lees Commercial Real Estate
Bentley Systems is hosting our upcoming 2025 Women Build, set for March 28, 2025. This event will bring even more women together to contribute to affordable housing in Chester County. While this particular event is full, we encourage you to get involved in future Women Builds, including one in May 2025. For more details or to sign up, please reach out to Liz Price at Liz@hfhcc.org.
Historical Figures Who Shaped Affordable Housing Advocacy
Women have been at the forefront of affordable housing advocacy for decades. Many trailblazers have made immense contributions to the housing sector, and their work continues to inspire us today. Below, we reflect on just a few of the historical figures who helped shape the world of affordable housing:
Biddy Mason (1818-1891)
Born into slavery, Mason gained her freedom at age 38 in California after challenging her enslaver in the California District Court. As a free woman, she moved to Los Angeles, worked as a nurse, and carefully saved her money to begin purchasing land in downtown LA. She built a real estate portfolio and became one of LA’s first prominent figures, founding the First A.M.E. Church (the oldest African American Church in LA), a traveler’s aid center, and an elementary school for Black children.
Jane Addams (1860-1935)
Jane Addams was the first American woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize. Jane was an advocate for positive social change in many ways. She founded Hull House, which expanded social services for low-income families. She was also active in the women’s suffrage movement and helped found the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Catherine Bauer (1905-1964)
Catherine Bauer is a celebrated public housing advocate who worked tirelessly to create affordable housing for low-income families across the United States. Bauer’s book Modern Housing convinced the U.S. policymakers to finally invest in affordable housing for the first time. Catherine went on to author federal housing legislation, including the American Housing Act of 1937, which made strides in providing subsidized housing for low-income families for the first time in American history.
Jane Jacobs (1916-2006)
Jane Jacobs advocated for walkable, affordable urban communities. Following suburban sprawl post-WWII, she fought hard to ensure that cities remained accessible and affordable for all residents. Today, Jacobs remains one of the most celebrated thinkers in urban planning. More than 60 years after its publication, her book The Death and Life of Great American Cities is still one of the most influential books in city planning.
Patricia Roberts Harris (1924-1985)
Patricia Roberts Harris was the first African-American woman appointed as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and she fought tirelessly against housing discrimination. Her leadership was described as a “blunt and tough” approach. She was also the Dean of Howard University’s law school, the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, and co-chair of the National Women’s Committee for Civil Rights.
Shirley Wiseman (1930-2020)
Shirley Wiseman was a trailblazer in the home building industry and served as the first woman president of the National Association of Home Builders in 1989. She founded the Home Owners Warranty Corp. in Lexington, Kentucky, and served as its first president in 1976. She also founded Lexington Housing for the Handicapped, advocating for disabled Americans.
Tammy Duckworth (1968-Present)
Tammy Duckworth is a veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and former Assistant Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs. She is an advocate for veteran’s rights and services. While serving as Assistant Secretary of Veteran Affairs, she collaborated with HUD to end veteran homelessness, paying close attention to the needs of Native American and female veterans.
Lisa Hasegawa (1972-Present)
Lisa Hasegawa is a dedicated community advocate who has fought to protect housing rights for low-income Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the United States. Her career spans 20 years. She has served as Executive Director of the National Coalition for Asian-Pacific American Community Development and led a coalition of over 100 community organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for members of the AAPI community throughout the U.S.
Honoring Rosalynn Carter (1927-2023): A Legacy of Humanitarian Work with Habitat for Humanity
Another inspiring figure is Rosalynn Carter, who was a key figure in the global Habitat for Humanity mission alongside her husband, former President Jimmy Carter. Since 1984, the couple dedicated their time and effort to building homes for families in need, using their platform to raise awareness about affordable housing issues. As Rosalynn Carter famously said, “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.” Her legacy with Habitat and various other humanitarian causes is remembered around the world, inspiring those to get involved and make a difference in their communities.
Empowering Women in Chester County and Beyond
Here in Chester County, the legacy of these trailblazing women lives on. Through our homeownership program, local women are putting in the time and effort needed to achieve affordable homeownership for themselves and their children. At the same time, local women are coming together to take action through our Women Build Program. We can’t forget to celebrate our Habitat volunteers, who are truly the heart and soul of our mission. Among them, our dedicated women volunteers make an incredible impact, whether on the construction site, at the ReStores, or in countless other ways. They go above and beyond each and every day, working tirelessly, sometimes almost 40 hours a week, without expecting anything in return. Women in our community are not just helping to build houses; they’re building the foundation for future generations to succeed.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s also look forward to the future of affordable housing and community building. March is a chance for women and all people to feel inspired by the influence of historical figures, learn about ways to advocate for women’s rights, and get involved in the community.
For more information about upcoming Women Build events, including our May 2025 build, please contact Liz Price at Liz@hfhcc.org.
Let’s continue honoring the historical trailblazers and empowering today’s leaders, who will continue to pave the way for gender parity and affordable housing for future generations!
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