Women in Stone Scholarship and Award Deadlines Approaching

Words: Dan Kamys
Nominations for the Pioneer Award and applications for the Empowerment Scholarship are due by Friday, September 9. To download forms, please visit www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/womeninstone.  

About The Pioneer Award

The Women in Stone Pioneer Award will recognize an advocate within the stone industry for their role in recruiting, retaining, and advancing women. The winner’s performance in promoting women should be exemplary, honorable, and inspirational. Women in Stone co-chair Allyson Humphries (M S International) commented: “The Pioneer Award recognizes an individual who has ventured into the unknown to educate and empower women in our industry.” Co-chair Kim Dumais (Miller Druck Specialty Contracting) agrees: “There are many individuals within our industry who go above and beyond to educate and elevate women. This award has been established to acknowledge those individuals and recognize them publicly for their efforts.”  

About The Empowerment Scholarship

The Women in Stone Empowerment Scholarship will provide an MIA+BSI member with an all-expense paid trip to a 2017 industry event (TISE, Coverings, or an MIA+BSI study tour). The winner will also be able to shadow industry professionals during the event, in order to gain a better understanding of different sectors of the industry. Applicants should be a first-time attendee of the chosen event, and should have between 2-5 years of stone industry experience. Dumais remarked: “The Empowerment Scholarship is designed to provide an opportunity that otherwise may not be accessible to women in the industry. The scholarship offers a unique opportunity to be personally guided, mentored, and exposed to all aspects of our industry.” According to Humphries: “The scholarship is the perfect vehicle for the woman who needs a kick start to her career and wants to learn more about our industry.”
GEN NXT: Braxton Sisk
October 2026

MCAA: How did you first get introduced to masonry and the masonry industry? Braxton Sisk: Well, so we have a technical program at our school. I just decided to go into it, and I ended up being pretty good at it, and so I decided I wanted to do that for m

Justin Stengel
GEN NXT
Read More
Geared Up for Fall Semester
October 2026

Along with finding potential leaders in the next generation of masonry professionals, getting to work with instructors in CTE programs throughout my region offers a great sense of hope and expectation. Add to that an environment where new technologies an

Outreach Outlook
Read More
EZG Manufacturing Continues as a Cornerstone Partner in 2027
October 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is excited to announce that EZG Manufacturing will continue as an esteemed Cornerstone Partner in the 2027 Masonry Alliance Program.

MAP Partner
MAP Partner
Read More
Masonry Direct Renews as a Silver Partner in 2027
October 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is delighted to announce that Masonry Direct is the first Silver to renew their partnership in the 2027 Masonry Alliance Program.

MAP Partner
MAP Partner
Read More