In honor of Women in Construction Week 2025, Maxim celebrates three-time Tradeswoman of the Year nominee Sammy Cossairt – whose life is a masterclass in grit, bravery, and leading by example.
Nashville, Tennessee – When a job demands hard work, Maxim Tower Crane Operator Sammy Cossairt shows up every time. She arrives ready. She stands firm in her expertise. She keeps safety as her top priority even in the face of thunderstorms and tight deadlines. She stays until the job gets done.
And she does it all more than 380 feet off the ground.
“This isn’t a job for the faint-hearted,” said Cossairt. “But I love the challenge. I like getting a job done, getting it done right, getting it done safe, and getting it done fast.”
That drive is what earned Cossairt three nominations for Tradeswoman of the Year – two from the National Association for Women in Construction (NAWIC – Nashville chapter) in 2024 and 2025, and one in 2024 from Empowering Women in Industry.
“Being a great crane operator is just a matter of being willing to face your fears. I knew I was one of those people – I knew I had the bravery to do it, so I kept pushing,” said Cossairt. “I don’t like mediocre. I go all the way. When you can go this high up into a ‘man’s world’ – literally – it’s exhilarating. I think most women have that same drive.”
This drive also scored her a home at Maxim Crane, where she’s worked for more than eight years.
“Maxim is definitely my home. That’s where I want to stay,” said Cossairt. “When I first started working here, it felt too good to be true because they treated me just like everybody else – and that’s really hard to find in construction. It’s amazing. That’s only one reason why I’m proud to work for Maxim. I felt like I needed to run off before they would get the chance to change their minds.”
The Sky is the Limit – Literally
Cossairt began her career in excavation construction work after graduating college. She realized she could make more money starting as a laborer rather than trying to flaunt a new college degree at the other available boring options. So, still green in the industry, she started trying to prove herself by outworking the rest of the crew. Her ambition motivated her to dig in and get the job done right every single day.
One such day, she came across a crane on a job site. That’s when she realized her next step was going to be much higher than she ever anticipated. In just one instant, the phrase climbing the ladder changed from a metaphor to a real, tangible life goal.
“Seeing that crane ignited this drive in me,” said Cossairt. “It still does to this day. Knowing that it’s me climbing this height, building these landmarks that are going to be there for my grandkids to see is awesome. When I drive by them, I say to myself, ‘That was our job. That’s my mark on the world right there.’”
Cossairt’s journey is proof that some things are just meant for a person. When she isn’t on the job, Cossairt is also a singer. She first moved to Nashville from a small town in Idaho nearly a decade ago. Back then, the new city and its infrastructure intimidated her. So, she wrote a song about it.
“I wrote this song about high-rise steel and concrete over my head and created a picture of looking up at all of it. At that point, I had no idea I would be a crane operator,” said Cossairt. “It totally intimidated me. Now, not only do I work up at that height, but I also literally build those buildings that used to scare me.”
This feeling of fulfillment is just one of the many reasons that Cossairt encourages other women to pursue construction as a career path – there is a high demand for construction professionals (therefore plenty of job availability), it pays well, and it doesn’t require a college degree. To women and girls considering construction as a career, Cossairt has some sage words of advice: just go for it.
“Believing you can do it is half the battle. It’s not hard to compete with the guys,” said Cossairt. “Just get in there and learn. Be brave enough to show up and do it. Everybody has to start somewhere, guys included. If anyone doubts you, just let your work speak for you.”
To any women out there that want to become crane operators. “The NCCCO Foundation is offering full scholarships for crane operator training, this is a huge advantage that women should jump on. To get more information and an application, email info@ncccofoundation.org.”
Celebrating Women in Construction Week 2025
In Cossairt’s experience, most women in construction get introduced to the industry by a man in their life. So, she wants to see more opportunities for women – by women. That’s exactly what Women in Construction Week – established in 1998 by The National Association of Women in Construction – is all about.
“Women in Construction Week is so important,” said Cossairt. “The local events make you feel not so alone. It helped me find camaraderie between other women that are in a similar situation.”
Maxim Crane: Rise With Us
We invite you to join us in celebrating and thanking the women of Maxim for raising the bar for the next generation of women construction workers.
“To me, Rise With Us captures all of it: a tall crane, building a tall building with your own two hands, making a better life for yourself, making it in a lucrative career, moving into opportunities you didn’t know were possible, and the rise of tradeswoman,” said Cossairt. “It’s pretty simple. Rise in every way that you can.”
For more stories similar to this one, visit the blog on www.MaximCrane.com.
