Join AIA, She Built Foundation to share architecture and design with K-12 students

In 2021, Mollie Elkman released The House That She Built, a children’s book highlighting women in the building industry. Inspired by the 2020 Utah project that united women from across the United States to design, build, and market a new construction home, the book began as a celebration of women’s talents and skills. In a recent Q&A, Elkman shares how the story  - and AIA's partnership with the She Built Foundation - is making all aspects of the building industry more accessible to K-12 students. 

How has The House That She Built impacted the building industry? 

Amazingly, it really became a movement! Industry professionals started to put the book behind them for their zoom calls to show support and different women's groups made it their initiative to distribute the book to every school in their region. If you look at our social media pages, it’s incredible to see people posting pictures with the book celebrating women in male dominant careers and also unlimited pathways for girls. We have a Girl Scouts' patch program and also started providing free activities and curriculum with the book. Everything has been so well received that in 2023 we officially launched the She Built Foundation to introduce girls to the world of building. 

What are some long-term goals of the foundation? 

We’re really focusing on three program areas. Representation, which uses storytelling and content to educate kids as to what is out there and also challenge traditional ideas about who these careers are right for. Education and skills, which includes curriculum and programs to nurture that seed of excitement and curiosity. And Community, where we tap into our incredible industry ambassadors to serve as role models, mentors, and advocates.

As young people receive the book, what is the response? 

It is such a powerful experience to watch children make the connection with the spaces around them understanding the many skills and careers needed to make that space function. It just clicks for them. Someone designed this. Someone put that wall there. Someone made it possible for them to turn on the lights (and TV!) 

How intentional were your illustrations in the book and supporting materials to include people of different races, ages, and abilities? 

Representation is a huge part of our initiative. The intent with the illustrations is for every reader to see someone in the book that they identify with. I'm personally very passionate about the building industry. What I do professionally is marketing for home builders, and I came into the industry because of my dad. It’s fascinating that so many of the women I meet in building have also come into the industry because of a dad or grandfather. As women in a male dominated industry, I believe it is our collective and unique opportunity to share our stories so girls everywhere can connect their interest and skills to future pathways like ours. The book and foundation are tools to help. 

Why is it important for building industry professionals to connect with K-12 students? 

We have a skilled labor crisis in this country that is a growing problem. I am so inspired by the people and organizations that are working across the entire talent pipeline but there is a clear gap. We need to reach children before career based gender bias forms - and that's kindergarten. Connecting with students early is a bridge to career specific organizations later in the pipeline. We all want to have a bigger pool of interest and diverse talent. Reaching children at the beginning of their journey is an important way to make that happen. 

How can architects or firms be part of the She Built movement? 

We are so happy to share the new program for AIA Architecture Week and encourage you to participate and share photos. With the AIA Building Certificate Program, you can take the book and program to engage students specifically in architecture. We would also love for AIA members to become  She Built partners or ambassadors. I think sometimes when we do our jobs all day, every day, we can lose some of that excitement around how meaningful our work is. I want everyone to have the opportunity to see what they do through a kindergartener's eyes. It’s magical.
.