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Women are proving their skills on the job site

Talent and passion for their work in the GTA’s real estate and development industry is part of their ‘secret superpower’

6 min to read
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Kim Valliere, centre, v-p of development construction for RioCan with her team at The Well building site, from left: Ola Adams, Taylor Dayal-Escutin, Lauren La Mouri, Laura Ricci, and Sarah DaSilva.

Vennessa Rose doesn’t mind the glances she gets when she’s wearing her hard hat and construction gear.

“I think it’s awesome to say I’m a plumber, especially as a woman. It’s like a secret superpower,” says the 21-year-old Toronto woman.

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"I think it's awesome to say I'm a plumber, especially as a woman. It's like a secret superpower," says apprentice Vennessa Rose, working at the Plaza Midtown development this summer.

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"I hope people realize that construction is more than being on tools," says Jane Almey, partner/owner of Bluescape Construction Management, at the site of the Reina condo development in Etobicoke.

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"It's gone from me being the only woman in the room or construction trailer to being one of many," says Kim Valliere, v-p of development construction for RioCan.

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"If I have any advice, it's put your hand up, find the good people who are going to support you and take you to meetings you aren't supposed to be at," says Jenn Blue, senior project manager for Minto Communities GTA at the 123 Portland building site near Bathurst and Adelaide Sts.

TH

Tracy Hanes is a GTA-based writer and a freelance contributor for the Star. Reach her via email: tracyhanes@yahoo.ca.

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