Doing a history for a chapter which has been in existence for 43 years has been a daunting task because Denver has been very active over the years.

Metropolitan Denver Chapter #112 was chartered on August 14, 1965 with 26 members. Of the chartering members, seven became president of the Denver Chapter. One of these 26 women is still a member.

Denver was originally in Region 10 and became part of Region 8 when NAWIC did redistricting. Our chapter has always taken an active part on a Regional and National level. Seven members of our chapter have served as a Region 8 Director. While none ever served as an officer of NAWIC, the chapter has been represented on several national committees as well as on various Region 8 committees. In Denver’s first year as a chapter, they won the National Membership trophy for greatest increase in members. This was the last year the trophy was awarded.

In addition, Denver twice hosted national convention. In the past, the local chapter was responsible for all segments of a national convention and Denver took on this responsibility in September, 1975. This convention had over 1,000 members in attendance. Twenty years later in 1995, Denver was again the site of National Convention and worked with our National Office to ensure a good convention.

Forums hosted by Denver are too many to count and have ranged from Denver to Breckenridge to Colorado Springs.

Building NAWIC is important to our members. We have been responsible for new chapters in Colorado Springs (twice), Grand Junction (twice), Fort Collins (hopefully to be twice in the near future), Pueblo and Casper, Wyoming and Wheatland, Wyoming. Cheyenne, Wyoming was on this list very briefly.

Education has been the foundation of the Denver chapter. We were one of the few chapters that was part of Operation Women Power formed in 1970 and we evaluated courses that later became part of the National Education Foundation.

Our scholarship program is one of the oldest in NAWIC. Denver has sponsored more scholarships than any other local construction organization. Students pursuing an education in construction at a Colorado college or trade organization have been awarded scholarships ranging from $250.00 to several thousand dollars. Some of the students are a one year commitment and others are sponsored through to a degree. In recent years, we formed a June Reilly Memorial Scholarship for a past president and past director who contributed to the success of our program.

Prior to the formation of the National CAD, Denver was holding an Architectural Design Contest which included models and renderings. Many of the winners from this activity went on to be awarded one of our scholarships.

While education is important to our members, community service is equally important. We sponsored and worked on such activities as a Blood Bank, which could be utilized by anyone in the construction industry who needed blood transfusions. We built ramps for physically challenged people, built a playhouse, painted homes for low income housing and built a park which was given to the City and County of Denver. We worked on Building Wishes 5k and 10k races with the proceeds being given to the Make A Wish Foundation. For several years, we have purchased gifts, wrap and decorated, and handed out the gifts for the Larimer County Foster Children Christmas party. Our two latest endeavors are working with the Veterans Hospital and having a team in the Race For a Cure.

This is a very thumbnail sketch of our chapter and I know I have forgotten many other activities in which our members took pride. Maybe in the future, when I have unpacked all of my old NAWIC paperwork, I can contribute an article which will acknowledge even more of our past.

Sumitted by Hazel Bolsover, CCA, CIT, Charter Member