Breaking Barriers: How One Cincinnati Company is Paving the Way for Women in Construction
CINCINNATI — While women account for just 11% of the U.S. construction workforce, one Ohio-based company is determined to shift that statistic—one apprentice at a time.
Journey Steel, a minority-owned structural steel firm, is tackling the industry’s gender gap head-on through training, mentorship, and hands-on opportunities. Leading the charge is Barbara Smith, the company’s co-founder and president, who brings nearly 40 years of experience in a field long dominated by men.
A Personal Mission
Smith’s journey hasn’t been easy. After facing pay disparities and missed promotions early in her career, she decided to take matters into her own hands.
“If I wanted change, I had to help create it,” Smith said.
In 2009, she launched Journey Steel, combining her passion for construction with a commitment to fostering diversity. Her background in industrial technology—fueled by an early love for math and science—laid the foundation for a career dedicated to reshaping the industry.
Building More Than Structures
Beyond steel beams and blueprints, Journey Steel’s Journeys Soaring Impact pre-apprenticeship program is opening doors for women and minorities. Participants gain real-world ironworking skills while securing a foothold in the trades.
The timing couldn’t be better. Ohio’s construction sector is booming, adding over 14,000 jobs in the past year, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.
For Akira Patterson, an apprentice with the company, the program was life-changing. After realizing college wasn’t her path, she found her calling in hands-on work. Now employed by Journey Steel, she credits Smith’s mentorship for her newfound confidence.
“I’m learning from someone who’s been where I am,” Patterson said. “It makes me excited about my future.”
Community Support and Recognition
Smith’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Backing from the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce has helped expand the company’s reach, while her leadership has earned multiple awards.
Yet for Smith, the real reward lies in progress.
“I tell women in this industry: Yes, you’ll have to work harder. But that struggle will make you stronger,” she said.
As more women enter the field, Smith hopes the construction world will continue evolving—building not just skyscrapers, but opportunities for generations to come.
— Reported by Nexio News
