Athens women start first all-female Habitat build

ATHENS - A group of Athens women are first to try a new campaign for Habitat for Humanity - they&#39;re building a home all by themselves, no boys allowed. <br> <br> About 60 women gathered Saturday in donated nail aprons to kick off Habitat&#39;s ``Women Building a Legacy&#39;&#39; campaign at an empty lot between two duplexes. <br> <br> Habitat organizers say females make up roughly 50 percent of total membership, and they want to encourage more to pitch in. The idea will soon be copied in Savannah and then at Habitat clubs nationwide. <br> <br> ``I think it&#39;s fabulous. It&#39;s about women trying to help another woman,&#39;&#39; Debbie Dietzler said in between sips of bottled water. ``The need for affordable housing is great ... and this is a woman&#39;s project. That means a lot.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The home will eventually belong to Carolyn, a single mother of three young girls. <br> <br> Some of the Athens Area Habitat volunteers include state Rep. Louise McBee, candidate for the new 12th Congressional District Barbara Dooley and University of Georgia women&#39;s gymnastics coach Suzanne Yoculan. <br> <br> According to Peggy Crowe, the local Women Build Coordinator, the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity has built seven houses in the last year, but this is the first that the women can claim as their own. <br> <br> ``The whole thing is getting past what you think you can&#39;t do,&#39;&#39; she said, standing by a trailer used to haul wood and taking a break from building the 1,056-square-foot home&#39;s frame. ``Women are very vested in hearth and home ... for us, we are building a home, not just a house, for Carolyn.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Habitat for Humanity has built more than 100,000 homes in more than 80 countries since its inception in 1976.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/7/191962