Women make up about 10 percent of the construction industry nationwide — though nearly 8 of 10 work in sales or office positions rather than in the field.

More than 5,500 of the women are members of the National Association of Women in Construction, which is marking Women in Construction Week beginning today. Kansas has two chapters of the association, one in Topeka and one in Wichita.

Among the Wichita members is Bev Sauerwein, vice president for corporate services at Sauerwein Construction. She is a past president of the Wichita chapter as well as a former vice president, secretary and treasurer.

She married into construction and joined the family business in 1981 as office manager. She oversees a part-time payroll clerk and full-time accounts payable assistant. Her husband, Frank, is president of the company, which was founded by his father. Bev and Frank Sauerwein have three grown daughters — none of whom have followed in their parents' footsteps.

Women in Construction Week will include a reception for members and potential members from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Wichita Area Builders Association, 730 N. Main. It will include guest speakers and networking.

Who are the members of Women in Construction?

"It is kind of designed to be geared for the tradeswoman. However, in Wichita, we don't have an abundance of tradeswomen. There are a lot of company officers, company owners.... We're very inclusive, with engineers and architects as well. Anyone involved in the construction industry is where we pull our membership from."

What's the purpose?

"To enhance the success of women in construction. We offer some training — online classes, self-study programs.... We're very involved with construction education, personally for our members and also getting the word out to the public."

What are common misconceptions about women in construction?

"That women can't do it. There are enough fields in the industry that there are plenty of opportunities for women."

Has that perception changed through the years?

"The person who works in the field and is a tradeswoman — they're going to face prejudice. There's just no way out of it, that's for sure, until society totally turns around. It's a long process.... But I know some women who've held some pretty good positions in engineering or in estimating here in town."

What happens at your meetings?

"We gear our meetings towards construction. We do project tours. We do meetings about bonding — insurance bonding. Insurance, OSHA, all of our monthly meetings are geared to a program that's construction-related. We can really pull some good meeting topics."

How did you get into the business?

"My husband asked me to come to work for him. My degree is in home economics, at K-State.... I talk to my accountant a lot."

How are you with a hammer?

"You wouldn't put me in the field, I can guarantee it."