Charette: Girls in Civil
Tune in to hear our conversation with the women of the organization Girls in Civil.
Sofía D. Boscio-López - President & Public Relations Coordinator
Born and raised in Guayama, Puerto Rico, Sofia grew up immersed in the construction industry, thanks to her mother's family. Her mother owns a small construction equipment rental company, while her uncles run a design firm and a concrete company. From an early age, she knew she would pursue a career in the industry in some capacity. Today, she is based in Huntington, West Virginia, where she works as a Geotechnical Engineer, combining her passion for the field with hands-on experience.
Fascinated by the Earth and its complexities, she is particularly drawn to the behavior of soils and the natural phenomena that impact them, including earthquakes, landslides, sinkholes, and settlement issues. Her career aspirations are rooted in achieving a balance between fieldwork—whether drilling, construction, or laboratory research—and office-based tasks.
The idea for Girls in Civil (GIC) came to her in an unexpected setting—while dining at Romano's Macaroni Grill, a favorite spot where she could sketch on the tables. As she approached graduation and began receiving multiple job offers, she noticed a lack of guidance on gender-related challenges in the workplace. Concerns such as female representation in fieldwork, the absence of mentorship for early and mid-career professionals, and the availability of parental leave were often overlooked. Recognizing the need for change, she founded GIC to create a support network and initiate conversations among female students at her university, empowering them to navigate these challenges and advocate for a more inclusive industry.
Gilmarie O’Neill Medina - Secretary & Podcast Manager
Gilmarie is from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and studied Civil Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. She currently resides in Virginia, USA. Her passion for Civil Engineering began with a love for math and construction, but as she progressed in her studies, she became drawn to the field's vast opportunities and diverse career paths.
Her primary interest lies in Transportation Engineering, recognizing its essential role in shaping how people navigate their communities. For her, transportation is more than just designing roads and highways—it’s about creating safe, efficient, and accessible systems that prioritize pedestrian safety. She is particularly passionate about developing environments that encourage walking, biking, and sustainable mobility options, ensuring that transportation infrastructure serves everyone effectively.
She first learned about Girls in Civil through Sofía during her undergraduate years and has been actively involved ever since. The experience has provided her with numerous opportunities for growth, both professionally and personally, making it the perfect fit for her ambitions.
Charmelis A. Reyes Cruz - Financial Manager
Charmelis was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up in Puerto Rico. She is currently based in Washington, DC. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez and a Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Austin. Her passion for Civil Engineering stems from her love of math and science, combined with her desire to create and shape the built environment.
She is particularly interested in Transportation Engineering, recognizing its profound impact on people’s daily lives. She believes that efficient transportation systems are key to unlocking opportunities in employment, education, healthcare, and beyond. Her goal is to improve transit systems, enhance road safety, and foster stronger community connections through her work.
She first learned about Girls in Civil through her friend Sofía and began following the initiative on Instagram. Since then, she has built meaningful relationships within the community and values the support it provides. Committed to both her career and personal well-being, she strives to maintain a balance between professional growth and mental and physical health.
Gabriela Yáñez González - Outreach Coordinator
Gabriela is from Añasco, Puerto Rico. From a young age, she was captivated by the construction of buildings, bridges, and other structures, sparking her passion for civil engineering. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Structural Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her primary interest lies in Structural Engineering, as she finds it fascinating how forces interact with the built environment. By understanding and analyzing these forces, she aims to contribute to the development of more resilient structures.
During her undergraduate studies at the University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez, Sofía approached her and other students with the idea of creating a support group for women in civil engineering. Together, they began shaping what would eventually become Girls in Civil, a growing community dedicated to fostering mentorship and empowerment.
She takes great pride in the evolution of Girls in Civil and the impact it has had on so many individuals. Through her work in civil engineering, she hopes to contribute to a more equitable and resilient industry while continuing to uplift and support the Girls in Civil community, ensuring that women in the field have the resources and encouragement to thrive.
Caryatids
Sofia’s: Zaire Zenit Dinzey-Flores, author of Locked In, Locked Out: Gated Communities in a Puerto Rican City (The City in the Twenty-First Century)
Gilmarie’s: Ivette Cruzado, Professor at the University of Puerto at Mayagüez
Charmelis': Nicole Waldheim, Transportation Safety Planning Expert
Gabriela’s: Norma Doneghy Anderson, Founder of the Bill Anderson Fund
Check out Girls in Civil: girlsincivil.com
She Builds Charettes is where we have mini-episodes that are different from our more traditional episodes. In these charettes or mini-episodes, we will conduct interviews, hold deep-dive discussions, make announcements, and more! Have an idea for a charette? Be sure to email us at shebuildspodcast@gmail.com
