Marshay Gibbons: Championing Females in the Construction Industry

By Montrie Rucker Adams, APR, DTM, MBA, Visibility Marketing Inc.

“I want to talk to you about what I’ve been doing,” said Marshay Gibbons in her voicemail. There was a hint of excitement in her message. “We talked a few months ago, and I want to give you an update.”

In the spring of 2016, Gibbons completed Work Now, a six-week program called The WORK NOW Construction Initiative partnership.  Modeled after the Urban League of Greater Cleveland’s Solid Opportunities for Advancement and Retention (SOAR) program, it was created to assist the unemployed and underemployed in their quest for construction trade career positions.  

Since completing the program in May, 2016, Gibbons began her career in the construction industry working as a laborer for Perk Company, Inc.  

Six months later, Gibbons became a member of Laborers’ Local 860 which serves the Heavy Highway and Utilities construction trades. She is the only female in union.

In 2014, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 9,813,000 people working in the construction industry. Of these, 872,000 of them, or 8.9 percent, were women. Of those women, 43,000 or five percent were African-American.

Gibbons enjoys what she does and says the men with whom she works are surprised that she can do what’s required, even with long fingernails. Her responsibilities include grading, pipefitting, drilling, going into manholes and digging up roads. Sometimes she directs traffic.

Her co-workers at Perk gave Gibbons an unofficial Rookie of the Year award.  She chuckles explaining one exchange. “I asked them, ‘Where’s my cut?’” When they didn’t understand my question, I said, ‘You know you had a bet against me.’ We all laughed at that.”

When asked about what she most enjoys, Gibbons, “Would love to get the word out to minorities and especially women that there is work in the construction industry. It can be strenuous,” she explains. “You have to exercise to get the body prepared to do the work.  You must do your stretches because you are using muscles you may rarely use. I’m enjoying it. I love the work.”

Prior to entering the WORK NOW program, Gibbons worked as an executive assistant for Amalgamated Transit Union and as an Operations Supervisor at Greyhound.

“Since I was a small child, I have always been interested in craftwork, building things, patching holes in drywalls. There’s a feeling that I get when I see something that I have done and it made a difference. I used to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. It feels good to make the city look better. I always wanted to do construction, but didn’t have the right resources,” said Gibbons.

Gibbons further explains that, “There are a lot of benefits working in the construction industry. In the Union, there are great benefits. The pay is marvelous and you can grow within the industry.  You are never stuck in one place.  You can relocate to other areas of the country if you want,” Gibbons shares.  “If you’re in the union, you can transfer your membership. You will always have job as long as you’re a good worker. Show up for work and work.”

She also shares that, “Felonies don’t stop the progress. There are jobs out here that will give you a chance. You have to want it for yourself. As long as you apply yourself, you can do the work. You won’t make it if you sit around. The work is demanding. I’m am 46 years old and just beginning my construction career. If I can do it, you can.”

Gibbons wants more women to join her in the construction industry. “Females are badly needed in this field and not just to do flagging,” she says. “As far as women are concerned, the job is not hard. You work smarter and not harder. It’s not a job for a man, it’s a job for a human being.”

In addition to bringing women on board, Gibbons is also looking for the younger generation to become involved in the construction industry.  “I want to get the young ladies out here and make our ancestors proud.”

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I came across the CEA because I went online to research women in construction and the name stood out. I put in an application for the WORK NOW program for individuals 22-32. They accepted me, I interviewed and was graciously forwarded to The Urban League of Greater Cleveland.

CEA got me involved with the WORK NOW on training on how to present yourself in an interview, how to speak, tours of construction industry and trades. Mr. Glen Shumate played a big factor, spoke to us, told us we had to get the job ourselves. Instilled in us what we needed to do to secure a career. Ms. Yvette Clark, was the leader. She demonstrated the most professionalism in acing an interview. How to present yourself. Update and create resumes. Math tests, reading to insure we were on our way to success. We all advanced and we all have a position in the construction industry. There were 9 with me the only female and the oldest.

I credit my success to CEA and the urban league of greater Cleveland. I believe that without their assistance and dedication, I would not be where I always wanted to be. We were told that we were the second class and we wanted to continue to help the youth get into the industry, I am hoping that the resources are available to continue the program, if it wasn’t for Shumate, clark and the organizations they represent that you wouldn’t be where you always wanted to be. They played a big part in helping me achieve this goal. More dedication from people and organizations. They took the time out of their busy schedules to help others. They want to see our minority youth succeed. It takes having a big heart to do that for others. We need more of them and those hearts, to ensure that the youth can conquer anything they want to conquer. They speak highly of the youth and minority. We need more support. If we can get more support to CEA and the urban league, the city will have a big change in the unemployment rate. Whatever I can do to help, my heart and door is open to do whatever it is they need from me.

I am grateful, very grateful.