History of Women Build
Celebrating 35 Years
What started as a casual conversation among a small group of Charlotte area women in 1991 has grown into an international movement of women empowering women through affordable housing. To date, nearly 5,700 homes have been constructed by crews of women in the U.S. and around the world.
As we get ready to celebrate 35 years of Women Build, Habitat Charlotte Region is excited to bring together women from across the Charlotte region to lead, build, and advocate for affordable housing in the communities where they live and work.
1991
A group of women in Charlotte, North Carolina, completes the first women-built Habitat for Humanity house. With this event, the seeds for Habitat’s Women Build program are planted. A handful of Habitat affiliates continue to build houses with all-women crews.
1997
As part of the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, U.S. first lady Hillary Clinton, Kentucky first lady Libby Jones and Oklahoma first lady Cathy Keating participate in a Women Build. The idea for Habitat’s First Ladies Build is born.
1998
Habitat for Humanity International forms the Women Build department as it becomes an official program.
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Women Build began, like so many powerful movements do, with a simple idea.
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