February 2022
(DRAFT) The Walsh Group Celebrates Black History Month - February 2022
As a company, The Walsh Group is proud to be comprised of a diverse group of passionate individuals, all performing their best every day. We are invested in all of our employees, and we are focused on building a legacy of success through their skills, talents and achievements.
This February, we are excited to celebrate Black History Month and reflect on the important roles African Americans are playing in the development and progress of The Walsh Group and the construction industry.
Throughout this celebration, we will be hearing from employees as they reflect on their career, the importance of Black History, and their outlook on the construction industry. We invite you to explore the following messages from Walsh Group employees:
Curtis Jones, Business Group Accounting Manager (Atlanta, GA)
Brian Hill, Community Relations Manager (Los Angeles, CA)
Candase Lightfoot, HR Generalist (Chicago, IL)
Thomas Hill, Construction Technology Manager (Chicago, IL)
Celebrating Black History in the Construction Industry:
We'll also be looking back on the historical figures who have broken barriers and helped advance the architecture, engineering and construction industry. People like Garret A. Morgan (1877–1963), the inventor of the “safety helmet” and precursor to today’s full-face respirator, as well as a hero during the 1916 New West Side Waterworks Tunnel Explosion in Cleveland. Garrett used his creative energies for inventions that conveyed his concern for the safety of others.
And the achievements of Yvonne Y. Clark (1929–2019), a notable pioneer for women African-American engineers and a trailblazer in the academic and professional world. She was the first woman to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University, first woman to earn a degree in Engineering Management from Vanderbilt University, and the first woman to serve as a faculty member in the College of Engineering and Technology at Tennessee State University.
“Prepare yourself. Do your work…Don’t be afraid to ask questions and benefit by meeting with other women. Whatever you like, learn about it and pursue it…The environment is what you make it. Sometimes the environment is hostile, but don’t worry about it. Be aware of it so you aren’t blind-sided.” - Yvonne Y. Clark