Women's roofing group helps cap Triangle-area Habitat homes

The women are using their hobby to improve their community while also breaking stereotypes and bonding with each other.

"Our motto is that I'd rather roof it than clean it," volunteer Jane Williams said about working on Habitat homes. "Anything that's said on the roof stays on the roof."

The group calls themselves Women Roofers 2. Its 35 members come together on weekends to volunteer their time.

Despite not having any prior construction experience, the group has helped roof seven homes in less than two years.

"It's a lot of young, professional women who don't mind heights," Williams said.

Williams, a retired psychologist, says the projects have been the highlight of her "working" career."

"I don't think I can think of anything in my life that's been more fulfilling to me than working for Habitat," she said.

The women are part of a larger group partnering with Habitat for Humanity to help build four homes, one each in Wake, Durham, Orange and Cumberland counties.

All families who receive a home from Habitat are required to pay a small down payment and spend hundreds of hours helping the organization.