Comments on: How Do We Get More Diversity in Green Building and Home Performance?

By: Manny

Manny — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 01:52:52 +0000

Hello to all and thank you
Hello to all and thank you for the post. First off let me start off by saying I am Hispanic and the owner of a construction company that also has a division in Home Performance. In my area Home Performance companies are dominated by white contractors and surprisingly quite a few are white females. Our biggest struggle thus far has been trying to network with government and nonprofit agencies. We have to do a better job connecting ourselves with them if we’re going to continue being successful. So far we haven’t been able to get any work from those agencies, just in the private sector. Good day to all…

By: Thomas Billups

Thomas Billups — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 23:32:08 +0000

Thanks so much for this blog
Thanks so much for this blog Allison. I’m a black male and a regular reader (and occasional commenter) on your blog. As the technical manager of a state weatherization program, I see this lack of diversity every day. While I see a fair amount of racial diversity in some of the trades, there is a serious lack of women and minority energy auditors, raters, and other technical professionals. More diversity in this field is critical because of the disproportionately high unemployment in black and other minority communities. “Green jobs” appear to be a growth field (though slower than we’d like), and women and minorities need to be part of this growth. Minorities also face a heavier energy burden, spending a higher percentage of their income on energy and other utilities, so need professionals in our communities.

The first step in addressing this issue is to acknowledge that there is a need for more diversity. Thanks again for starting the conversation here.

By: Ken Bailes

Ken Bailes — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 08:31:53 +0000

You've said it all! Diversity
You've said it all! Diversity is the key to many things moving forward. (Diverse Ideas & Thinking) I would rather go eat at a potluck with many diverse people bringing their food and culture to the table then a place where all is the same. Tired of PB & J, lol. Guess this is why I struggle at 250lbs! I was going to post something about the tenth grade incident, lol. But I'll leave it alone bro, Don't want to see an article about professionalism.

By: Amy Fazio

Amy Fazio — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 05:29:35 +0000

ACI is proud to host a
ACI is proud to host a webinar with Ann Edminster on November 7th. join us to learn more about the power of female leadership. Thanks to Ann and all the inspiring women leaders making a difference for us ALL! http://www.affordablecomfort.org/women

By: Ann Edminster

Ann Edminster — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 03:35:54 +0000

And I forgot to mention our
And I forgot to mention our YouTube channel, SeeWomenLead — check it out, add more videos! http://www.youtube.com/user/SeeWomenLead/

By: Ann Edminster

Ann Edminster — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 03:34:08 +0000

Debra, thanks for that boost!
Debra, thanks for that boost!

Allison, I find that the best males to work with are the ones that recognize that being told what to do by women is a good thing. ;) Hope to see you at Greenbuild!

By: Debra Little

Debra Little — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 11:13:25 +0000

Important post AB!
Important post AB!

Let's include Ann Edminster in our list of remarkable women leaders in green.

Anne will present for ACI next week on Nov 7 in a webinar as part of their “Women in Home Performance”

http://www.housetalkgreen.com/women-in-home-performance/

Anne Edminster has been active in green building for 20+ years! Anne has an impressive & inspiring list of accomplishments!

Current Chair: Commission for Environmental Cooperation, the Trilateral Green Building Construction Task Force. Yes, the 3 North American countries.

Author: "Energy Free. Homes For A Small Planet"

Consultant, instructor, policy adviser...

2 quotes-

“Ann Edminster is a true pioneer in the green homes field: based on her
own hands-on experience, she spots trends and opportunities years
ahead of others and is there waiting when the ‘leaders’ arrive.”
– Rob Watson, CEO, EcoTech International

“Ann has a passion for understanding buildings and the ways that they – and we – can lighten the load placed on our Earth. She wants to help improve the way we design, build and run our homes. Ann’s personal and professional commitment shines through in all of her work.”

– Peter Yost, Residential Program Director, Building Green, LLC

By: John C Hansen, LEED AP

John C Hansen, LEED AP — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 06:14:09 +0000

Green Building and Home
Green Building and Home Performance is a bit like crossing a scientist with a private investigator and a dose of builder and remodeler too. I am sure that the percentage of women and minorities might be just about the same in those professions. And those professions also grapple with the challenge of how to increase diversity just as you do. So, I am not surprised by your question. Women and minority leaders can encourage their constituents to pursue this as a worthwhile profession, but all who are currently in the trades need to step forward and do their equal share to encourage the participation of anyone who shows an interest.

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 00:15:32 +0000

Kim S.:
Kim S.: Yes, Santa Fe's got it going on. I know Dee but haven't met Teri yet. Glad to hear that they got invited to Summer Camp!

Amy F.: Thanks for the update on the new training series. I'll do what I can to get the word out.

Debbie: Good points. I like the idea of doing things differently. Louisiana is different in many ways (I grew up there), but you're not unique in having few women in HVAC and home performance jobs. Let's change that.

Amanda E.: You're welcome! You may not have the long list of accomplishments and awards they have (yet), but you usually don't get invited to give keynote speeches without doing remarkable work. It would be wonderful to get out there and see what all you've done there at SFCC.

By: Amanda Evans

Amanda Evans — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 21:07:58 +0000

Thanks for the shout-out
Thanks for the shout-out Allison. I am honored to be written about in the same article with Linda and Tamasin, two of my home performance women heroes.
I hope you'll come out to see us here in NM some time soon.