Helena Area Habitat for Humanity held a Women’s Day Build Saturday in East Helena, a special event dedicated to recognizing and supporting female owner-builders.

Helena Area Habitat for Humanity hosted Women's Day Build Saturday at the Highland Meadows subdivision in East Helena. 

Female volunteers worked side by side with other women building their own homes and a brighter future for their families, Habitat officials said.

Helena Area Habitat for Humanity hosted Women's Day Build Saturday at the Highland Meadows subdivision in East Helena. The 24 volunteers installed exterior and interior walls.

“We’re doing pretty good,” said Jacob Thompson, lead carpenter for Helena Area Habitat for Humanity as the sound of hammering and other tools echoed in the background Saturday morning on Glenfinnan Court in the Highland Meadows subdivision.

He said the event brought out nearly 30 female carpenters and volunteers with a wide range of experience. Thompson said the build was a shining example that females can build as good as men. 

Helena Area Habitat for Humanity hosted Women's Day Build Saturday at the Highland Meadows subdivision in East Helena. The 24 volunteers installed exterior and interior walls.

Off to the side, three volunteers who were longtime friends, were staining a beam.

Helena Area Habitat for Humanity hosted Women's Day Build Saturday at the Highland Meadows subdivision in East Helena. 

Karen Rowan, Janet Fulkerson and Patty King were having fun.

From left, Patty King stains a beam Saturday as Karen Rowan and Janet Fulkerson look on.

“This is really good,” Rowan said. “This has really been great.”

One house down, the other volunteers were putting up exterior and interior walls on two homes.

The 24 volunteers at the Helena Area Habitat for Humanity hosted Women's Day Build installed exterior and interior walls.

Jacob Kuntz, Helena Habitat executive director, said earlier in the week that 75% of Habitat families are led by women, "so this Women’s Day Build will be an inspiring day to bring the collective power of community as people realize their dream of homeownership.”

He said Habitat is recruiting to fill a construction superintendent position with the organization.

Helena Area Habitat for Humanity hosted Women's Day Build Saturday at the Highland Meadows subdivision in East Helena. The 24 volunteers installed exterior and interior walls.

Kuntz said that person works directly with and supervises owner/builders in building the homes.

Helena Area Habitat for Humanity hosted Women's Day Build Saturday at the Highland Meadows subdivision in East Helena. The 24 volunteers installed exterior and interior walls.

He said he hoped the Women’s Day Build event will “emphasize that we are open to applications from all genders, races and backgrounds.”

Helena Area Habitat for Humanity hosted Women's Day Build Saturday at the Highland Meadows subdivision in East Helena. The 24 volunteers installed exterior and interior walls.

To learn more about Helena Area Habitat for Humanity, the Restore, and the Repair Program, visit helenahabitat.org