The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) was founded in Ft. Worth, Texas, in 1955. Since its founding, NAWIC has grown to a membership of 6,500 with more than 200 chapters in 47 U.S. States and in three Canadian provinces. In 1996, NAWIC signed an International Affiliation Agreement with NAWIC-Australia. NAWIC's affiliate "Down Under" already has 11 chapters throughout its borders. In 1998, NAWIC signed an International Affiliation Agreement with New Zealand, and another in 1999 with South African Women in Construction (SAWiC). In its 45 years of service to its membership, NAWIC has advanced the causes of all women in construction whose careers range from business ownership to the skilled trades.