New Women in Stone Scholarship and Award Opportunities

Words: Dan KamysJuly 15, 2016 — Women in Stone has unveiled two new opportunities to recruit, retain and advance women in the stone industry.

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. According to Women in Stone co-chair Allyson Humphries (M S International), “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) agreed: “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.”

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 2–5 years of stone industry experience. 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.”

How to Apply

Nominations for the Pioneer Award and applications for the Empowerment Scholarship are due by Friday, September 9, 2016. To download forms, visit www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/womeninstone.
Outreach Outlook: Celebrating CTE Month and the Madness of Masonry
February 2026

As we settle into February, the masonry industry turns its focus to a celebration that lies at the very heart of our mission: National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. For the Outreach & Education Division, this isn't just a date on the calen

Stop Juggling: The Best Way to Master Your Masonry Job Sites
January 2026

You’re in the business of building structures that will stand for generations. Yet, too often, the process of managing the job site feels built on quicksand. Every construction project manager knows the feeling: the constant, fra

Brick Jointers: Purpose, Patterns, & Practical Applications
January 2026

After leads have been built and bricks have been laid, it’s crucial to tool the joints before the mortar sets. The tool of choice for this task is a brick jointer, but it can be tricky to decide which one to use. This guide will walk through the purpose o

Laying It Straight: Line-Holding Accessories for Masons Who Demand Precision
January 2026

When it comes to laying brick, block, or stone, nothing replaces a good line. A tight, true mason’s line is the backbone of straight courses and clean elevations, and the hardware holding that line is every bit as critical. Bon Tool’s lineup of Line & Lin