For Women in Construction Week, March 4-10, 2024, GBCA is recognizing some of the women working on safety in the Philadelphia region’s construction industry. These women and their companies are changing the Philadelphia region’s physical and cultural landscapes.
This week, GBCA is spotlighting Mary Patricia Geppert, President of Geppert Bros., Inc.
What advice would you give to a young woman entering the industry?
Women need other like-minded women to learn, grow, and hold one another accountable – especially within the construction industry. Instead of caving to societal pressures that seek to compare your life, success, or anything else about you to others, find yourself a group of like-minded women within the industry and spur each other on in all things in life. Celebrate each other’s successes and rely on one another in trying moments.
What has been the most memorable moment in your career?
The Naval Hospital Implosion, Byberry State Hospital, Spectrum Stadium, Convention Center Expansion, and the Chestnut Street Parking Garage projects are just a few of the memorable moments in my career.
What makes you proud of working in the construction industry?
One of the things that makes me proud to work in the demolition industry is to see the expeditious results and solutions coming from all of our team members. I love seeing everyone from different trades or companies working together to solve problems for a mutual project milestone. A sense of community amongst a project’s team makes all the struggles of a project that may arise along the way totally worth it.
Additionally, a moment that brought me some personal pride was from a letter I received from a young woman working in the construction industry. She worked alongside me during the COVID-19 shutdown on one of the most difficult projects I’ve ever worked on. “During this project, I have learned so much from you. Although you may not know it, I have watched how you’ve conducted yourself as a lady. It has given me great joy to watch and learn from you. Although our time together was not very long, you have made me feel a part of the professional family that you have so carefully created. That, to me, is priceless.”Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.
What do you think is the most important safety change happening in the construction industry?
Presently, it’s the evolution of hard hat technology from traditional hard hats to safety helmets. Hard hats are the symbol of our industry, and they went unchanged for decades despite their shortcomings. Hard hats work well against a single direct impact but don’t account for the rotational impact suffered in most accidents. Safety helmets have advancements in design, materials, and other features that help protect workers’ entire head better.
