Women in Construction- Stories from the Site and the Soul
Blog 2
Within Stories from the Site and the Soul, this piece takes the form of a letter to my younger self—an ode to the emotional truths behind the tools, the grit within my grace, and the legacy we all carry as women in the building and construction industry.
It reminds us that when we truly listen, hold space, and uplift one another, our shared wisdom brightens the paths of all women considering a career in construction and reveals genuine invitations to boundless possibilities.
Letter to My Seventeen-Year-Old Self
Author: Helen Armstrong, Owner and Director, House of Stars Pty Ltd
Written in 2025, this letter bridges 1992 and now—when I first walked onto a building site with equal parts awe and uncertainty.
It’s not merely a personal recollection; it stands as a cultural artefact, capturing that pivotal moment, infusing it with decades of insight, and sharing it in a voice that’s at once grounded, generous, and deeply resonant.
The industry may not always offer you a seat at the table, but over time it will shift, and so will you, not by losing what matters to you, but by deepening your values and moving forward with quiet, unwavering purpose.
Dear Younger Self,
I know stepping into the construction industry as a young woman will feel overwhelming at times. You’ll walk into rooms that weren’t built for you, carrying the weight of tradition and the quiet expectation to stay small, silent, and polite, but don’t you dare shrink or settle. You are bold, grounded, and exactly where you’re meant to be. You are not a guest here because you’re belonging to the revolution.
Finding your rhythm in a world shaped by centuries of inherited norms and expectations shaped by men may seem impossible, especially when there are no women nearby to reflect your experience or show you how to belong, but you will find your way. Your capacity to learn, your gift for noticing what others miss, and your choice to keep returning even when it’s uncomfortable, will guide you through places not designed with you in mind.
The industry may not always offer you a seat at the table, but over time it will shift, and so will you, not by losing what matters to you, but by deepening your values and moving forward with quiet, unwavering purpose.
There will be moments when the industry culture feels rigid and difficult to reach, and you will sense intentional barriers, feel the silence between words and wonder if you should speak or simply endure. In those times, allow yourself to pause and let the room settle around you as you keep listening to what you feel deep inside, because your instincts will never lead you astray. You don’t need to explain yourself to belong, your quiet presence is its own power. By simply showing up, grounded in who you are, you begin to shift the space and reshape the ideologies around you.
Have trust in yourself because you are doing the meaningful work. Stay open to learning. Follow the call of what feels true. You are growing into the essence of a proud Gamilaroi woman, and in time you will understand that your softness is not something to outgrow. It is a kind of strength that holds, heals, and leads with heart.
You never walk alone; you carry the strength of your Indigenous bloodline.
The women who came before, your mother, grandmothers, and aunties are your ancestral lineage, walking beside you with every breath. Their power is your foundation, and their wisdom flows through your veins. Each time you choose truth telling over silence, gentleness over fear, and presence over performance, you honour them. You are not separate from those who came before. You are their living continuation.
In the future, inclusion and diversity will be at the centre of the conversation. They will be written into mission statements, discussed in boardrooms, and displayed in public spaces. When that day arrives, the world will begin to look for what you already carry. Keep your Indigenous heritage close, and allow it to shape your decisions, support your spirit, and evolve alongside you as you continue to grow into your place.
May the ancient rhythm of the earth steady your heart, a timeless song that carries you forward. You need not hold all the answers; each courageous step lights a path beyond what you can yet see.
When doubt whispers, know it is not yours to keep. Your radiant light outshines every shadow, leading you gracefully into the woman you are destined to become, brilliant, fierce, and exquisitely whole.
With oceans of love, faith and belief in you- shine bright sweetheart.
Your older- self.
