Latest Issue of Building Women Magazine is Available to Members
The latest edition of Building Women Magazine, available now to NAHB members, introduces 2024 Professional Women in Building (PWB) Chair Luellen Smith.
The annual magazine features Smith’s mantra of "Building the Future with PWB" where she discusses prioritizing mentorship and growth including ramping up efforts for local council support and encouraging more women to engage in mentorship. It also spotlights how Smith’s early life on a farm helped her succeed in business, her dedication to volunteering, and how she built her career as an entrepreneur.
Other stories include:
- How women entering residential construction are blazing new trails
- How lessons from a mentor have pushed three women’s careers forward
- PWB members share tech tools to help boost your business
- PWB’s 2023 major accomplishments
- How a DIY blogger created a multifaceted business
- The best new clothing for women on the jobsite
Read the magazine and learn about the benefits to having a PWB membership at nahb.org/womeninbuilding.
Are you a PWB Council member? If not, join PWB locally through an HBA near you.
If you local does not have a council, you can join as an at-large member.
Latest from NAHBNow
The monthly update provides talking points to help members stay informed with clear and consistent messages on issues affecting the residential construction industry.
NAHB leadership will gather Oct. 6-8 for the 2026 Fall Leadership Meeting in Detroit. Members and HBA staff not in attendance can view livestreams of the key meetings.
Latest Economic News
The U.S. labor market cooled in September, with nonfarm payroll employment increasing by just 29,000 as downward revisions erased most of August’s previously reported strength. The unemployment rate edged up to 4.2%, as both employment and the labor force continued to grow.
Private residential construction spending rose in August 2026 following a series of declines during the second quarter of the year. According to the latest construction spending data from the U.S. Census Bureau, private residential construction spending came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $882.3 billion in August, up 1.1% from July but down 4.8% from a year ago.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how work gets done, but its impact varies considerably across occupations. For most construction occupations, near-term exposure to AI remains relatively low.