Evansville, Indiana (May 10, 2010) – They came armed with hammers and caulking guns, and by the end of the day on May 8, participants of the Women Build had installed about a third of the flooring system at a Habitat home on Ridgeway Avenue.

"We're building more than just a home," said Shelley Kirk, News25 anchor and Women Build participant. "We're building finanicial capital and a future."

About 60 people turned out to celebrate National Women Build Week and to honor Emilyann Combs Fowler, a local wife, mother, teacher, and artist and devoted Habitat for Humanity supporter, who died in December, 2009. The Women Build, which will offiicially begin in September, will be dedicated to Fowler.

Many of the women who turned out for the event had also participated in recent training clinics at Lowe's to learn construction skills necessary to build a home. The event gave them an opportunity to hone those skills in preparation of the Women Build when it begins in the fall.

The Women Build Program, underwritten by Lowe’s, teaches women the construction skills necessary to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable homes in their communities. This is particulary significant, because nearly 80 percent of the families that Habitat for Humanity of Evansville serves are single women with children.

You may donate to the Women Build on our secure donation page.

To see more pictures from the May 8 event, please visit our Photo Gallery page.