SMPS Atlanta spent the month reflecting on the women who broke glass ceilings and laid the foundation for women to succeed in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industries today. We wanted to take a moment to highlight a couple of historical figures who were trailblazers in their respective crafts.

JULIA MORGAN

Julia Morgan is the first woman to receive an architect’s license in California (1904) and designed hundreds of buildings (most famously: Hearst Castel in San Simeon). She often received skepticism of her abilities but persisted by opening her own practice and building a reputation with projects around the world. One of the first projects, a 72-foot-tall bell tower, was awarded by Mills College, a connection she gained after joining a growing women’s network she joined that campaigned the abolition of slavery, temperance, and women’s suffrage. In addition, Julia was one of the few, if not only, women at that time who owned their own practice without a male spouse or partner.  To learn more about Julia Morgan click here: Julia Morgan | Pioneering Women of American Architecture (bwaf.org).

NORMA MERRICK SKLAREK

Norma Merrick Sklarek was an American architect and the first African American woman to become a licensed architect in the states of New York and California. Some of her most famous projects include the United States Embassy in Tokyo, Japan and Terminal One at the Los Angeles International Airport. She graduated from Columbia University as one of a few women in her class, and the only African American woman in her class. She went on to overcome racism, sexism, and became one of the most prominent architects and leaders in her profession. To learn more about Norma Merrick Sklarek click here: Norma Sklarek | Columbia Celebrates Black History and Culture.

EDITH CLARKE

Known as the Mother of Invention, Edith Clarke was the first woman to earn a degree in electrical engineering from MIT, be a professionally employed electrical engineer in the United States, deliver a paper at the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, and be named as a Fellow of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. She specialized in electrical power system analysis which received recognition from the Society of Women Engineers Achievement Awards (1954) for her many contributions to the electrical engineering field. To learn more about Edith Clarke click here: (175) Edith Clarke - YouTube and Edith Clarke , MSA SC 3520-14065 (maryland.gov).

Louise Nelson Roux is a born-and-raised Georgia native. She grew up in Statesboro, attended UGA in Athens, and has now settled in Savannah. She joined the marketing industry in 2004 when she started working at Turner Construction. Nowadays, she is the Marketing Manager at JE Dunn Construction, where she oversees the marketing efforts for Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC. 

Louise has been a part of SMPS for almost 20 years and currently serves as the Coastal Committee Chair. Her main goal is to help others foster valuable and genuine relationships within the group. Her favorite events are the Coastal Cru get-togethers at Cohen’s Retreat.