Women's History Month 2021

Industry News, Employee Insights

Women's History Month 2021

Women’s History Month is about celebrating the limitations that Women have overcome throughout history and continue to overcome everyday. We’re commemorating these historical milestones through the stories of women at Barghausen who shared what Women’s History Month means to them. From motherhood to management, women play an important role in the AEC industry.

Here’s to the brilliant women across the globe whose innovative ideas have forever changed the course of history. Taking time to celebrate these accomplishments and listen to female voices means continuing to pave the future for female leaders

Alicia Aravena

Alicia Aravena

Women’s History Month is an opportunity to reflect on all of the amazing women that have changed the world and made a positive impact on your life. My mom has always been a positive, supporting female presence. She’s not just my mom, she’s my best friend. From a young age she taught me that being there for people, being genuine and having compassion are things that truly make you successful in life. She has always encouraged me to stand up for what I believe in and influenced me to work hard on my education and my career. My mom has made me want to carry on her positive influence to my own children in the future. In my eyes, female empowerment means having the confidence, courage and compassion to be the best version of yourself that you can possibly be.



Haley Dawson

Haley Dawson

Women’s History Month reminds me of everyone who has lifted me up and empowered me in my life. My mom has been a positive influence through example by following her own dream to join the Navy in a time when such a thing was rare, and my dad has been a positive influence through encouragement. Both of my parents made sure I followed my dreams, whatever they were.

Maya Angelou







Kelli Bush

Early in my career I had a very unprofessional manager, who made some poor decisions with how he treated the women that reported to him. We shared our stories with each other, ended up sharing them with the HR team at that company, and nothing happened. Undoubtedly, those events led me to the HR field, because it made me realize that I genuinely care when people have their values and morals on the line, and equally, I genuinely care about issues being resolved appropriately. I’ve been in HR for over 13 years now, and I’ve been lucky to train under some pretty tough female leaders. They showed me that if you actually listen to people and hear what they’re going through, the impact that you can make on their lives, and the lives of their surrounding peers (male or female), is immeasurable. Knowledge is power, and knowledge accompanied with the ability to do something in situations that nobody else wants to touch, is something that a woman CAN do.

Women’s History Month to me, is a reminder that the freedoms and rights that I have today, are things that weren’t always there. It’s a time to reflect on the strong, courageous, dedicated efforts of women that were put through the ringer to prove that the freedoms and voices that women have need to be equal to those that men have. One of my favorite quotes from Maya Angelou: “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”

Jordyn Cory




Jordyn Cory

As a woman raising boys, I believe it’s my responsibility to teach them that women are just as powerful and capable as they are. Through the stories of the powerful women in our families and the stories of notable women throughout history, I believe educating children about the women from the past and present is the key to creating an equal future. To me, Women’s History Month is a reminder to reflect on the ways we can contribute to create change.