Lenore Janis – the woman who changed New York business

Lenore Janis became a prominent figure in the 20th century construction business in New York. Having paved her way into this industry, she not only achieved success but also laid the foundation for inevitable changes. Although the city was developing uncontrollably, it forgot to accept women into this turbulent stream. The latter had ideas and the drive to create something. Lenore, who fought all her life for the place of women in business and construction, set out to correct this mistake. She impressed more than one generation of entrepreneurs, company founders and ordinary people who noted the personality of an activist. Read more on newyorka.

The path of a businesswoman

Lenore Janis was born and lived almost her entire life in New York. The city witnessed her creative searches, tireless work and development. Looking at the woman’s biography, one could immediately say what she would do. However, in her youth, this decision did not seem so obvious. Her father was the owner of White Plains Iron Works. Her mother was a housewife. From childhood, Lenore watched her father and had good opportunities to find herself in the company. However, she was a versatile personality and cherished much greater ambitions than women were allowed at that time.

If Lenore Janis had not chosen a career in the construction business, it is quite possible that we would know her as a theater artist. At school, the girl did not miss a single opportunity to show her creative potential. She played in the orchestra, wrote a fashion column in a magazine and joined the theater. The last hobby brought her special pleasure. Thus, young Lenore chose it as her future profession. The girl entered Bennington College to study theater arts. Although Lenore had to leave it, she managed to get a bachelor’s degree at the University of Connecticut. During these years, she was far from her home. However, at the first opportunity, Lenore Janis returned to work in New York. In 1956, she went into the field of public relations. In 1960, the activist reunited with her passion, theater, for acting, creating and developing off-Broadway institutions. One of her achievements was the Jewish Heritage Theatre for Children at the 92nd Street Y.

Lenore was able to join the family business in 1972. Due to the death of her father, she had to share the management of the company with her two brothers. Then, she began to learn about the business sphere, visit construction sites and was convinced of the injustice towards women in the workplace. Lenore Janis took it seriously to prove her competence. She was repeatedly disappointed and continued to fight alone with men and a system that did not allow women. All the achievements and experience in her father’s company gave the woman the courage to start her own business in 1979, the construction company ERA Steel. It was a real test of strength because Lenore knew all the difficulties only because of her gender. Banks refused her loans, partners agreed to cooperate only with men who would stand behind the businesswoman and access to a narrow circle of colleagues and investors was firmly closed to her.

Despite everything, Lenore Janis was not one to give up. She looked for different ways to overcome difficulties, worked hard and decided to help other women who wanted to develop in business. Such a noble goal found its supporters, with whom she founded the organization Professional Women in Construction in 1980. Then, the woman made more and more progress in her business. In 1983, Governor Mario M. Cuomo passed a law that guaranteed a greater number of contracts to construction companies managed by women. Assistance in developing this plan came from Lenore. In 1986, New York Mayor Edward I. Koch entrusted the activist with the leadership of the Bureau of Building Management in the city. Janis not only became the first woman in this position but also managed to do a lot of useful things. From 1995, she headed PWC and her achievements only multiplied.

Lenore Janis’s personality

Lenor Janis became an example for many women, professionals, managers and people who strive to change the world. She combined the features of a strong-willed woman with creative potential and life wisdom. That is why the most authoritative figures in the construction business of New York never tired of admiring her personality.

The first thing that distinguished the woman was her incredible determination. Having good opportunities to live her life without worries, Lenore chose a different path and decided to fight for women. There were no impossible goals for her. She proved that everything grandiose begins with a small step. At the beginning of her career, all doors were closed to her and a male representative was asked. She knocked again and again, attending conferences where they thought she was engaged in decoration. She was the only woman who destroyed injustice in the construction business and looked for new ways to solve problems. Lenore achieved her goal and could proudly say that she made many cracks in the concrete ceiling of this system.

Lenore Janis was also very creative and charismatic woman. One should have expected unconventional solutions from her, which she never neglected. Thus, most relationships in the construction business originated in closed clubs where women were not invited. One of these activities was golf. It served not only as good entertainment and an interesting sport but also as a place to make deals. When Lenore realized this, she said that women would be where there was golf. Although this decision was unusual, the businesswoman set about involving women in this matter. Moreover, the activist and her followers seized the initiative in this sport. Women organized tournaments, games and events related to golf, which men gladly came to.

Lenore Janis has come a long way from a girl who was not taken seriously by anyone to a woman whose opinion is valued by everyone around her. Thus, her colleagues noted the extraordinary vision of the businesswoman, the strategic nature of her decisions, her hard work and the enthusiasm with which she took on everything.

Professional Women in Construction

One of the results of the work of Lenore Janis and other activists was the trade organization Professional Women in Construction. The businesswoman said that women needed their own space where they could advertise themselves and support each other. Then, they decided to unite in order to be stronger together. These words became the motto of the organization, which it still promotes. Twelve women created this space in 1980. In the first year of its existence, they held a congress in New York to discuss industry issues. Later, men joined them. At first, they came to support the women’s initiative. Then, they realized that the union gives great strength. In 1985, the activists began to grant men the status of full members of their club.

PWC is represented by specialists from various fields: engineers, architects, ecologists, etc. Lenore Janis was the president of the company from 1995 until her retirement in 2015. During this time, she managed to become a powerful driving force that developed the organization. The woman brought the idea of ​​Professional Women in Construction to people from all over the world via conferences, articles and chapters in books. The current period of development is in no way inferior to the company’s past. The organization is headed by Melinda Johnson and its departments work in Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, New Jersey and other cities.

PWC projects

Professional Women in Construction was innovative once and remains relevant now. The organization has expanded its boundaries, gained experience and has many interesting projects. One of them is the MWBE committee, which helps develop connections between company owners, authorities and government agencies. This program provides an opportunity for women and minorities to build their own businesses and find the necessary contacts. Conferences, networking events and meetings are tools used by the committee. The organization is also rapidly increasing the number of MWBE firms in its structure. The mentoring committee and membership committee are also useful. The first program lasts 8 months and is aimed at developing relationships between beginners in the construction business and experienced players. The other committee is responsible for creating a friendly and interesting atmosphere for the organization’s members.

Another important aspect of PWM’s activities is training and development. In this direction, the company offers the services of PDAC, a council that is engaged in the improvement of club members. Educational materials, lectures, courses, development and leadership clubs and more are provided by this program. An incredible initiative for students is the Lenore Janis scholarship. Thanks to it, anyone studying the nuclear power industry has the chance to receive $2,500 as tuition. This program also provides free membership in the organization and the opportunity to attend many events.