Women’s History Month: What A Fellowship!
Left to Right: Su Blumentals, Rosemary McMonigal, Alicia Belton, Beverly Hauschild-Baron, Sarah Nettleton
We have observed Women’s History month by highlighting the contributions of women in Minnesota who have been elevated to the College of Fellows. Some of these women have been my colleagues and friends who I have admired and relied on for advice and guidance throughout my career. Their work speaks for themselves as they are firm leaders, authors, administrators, educators, and mentors who have made an indelible mark on the profession.
Although women make up about 50% of the students enrolled in architecture schools, they only comprise about 25% of the licensed architects in the United States. As a profession, we have much work to do to create gender equity.
When I started thinking about a career in architecture, the statistics were even worse. The only architect I knew was fictional architect Mike Brady from “The Brady Bunch”. Despite this fact, I persisted through 6 years of college, 3 years interning and 2 years to pass the licensing exam. Never did I dream that I would one day achieve Fellowship.
I am particularly grateful for the fellowship that I have had over the years with the women in this photo. On a sunny afternoon, we laughed and reminisced about all that is architecture.
· Su Blumentals – who so kindly “volun-told” me to serve on the Minnesota Architectural Foundation (MAF)
· Rosemary McMonigal – who modeled how to build a firm and family as well as encouraging me to consider Fellowship
· Beverly Hauschild-LeBaron – whose support and encouragement while I served on the MAF was immeasurable
· Sarah Nettleton – who has shared her business acumen as a small firm leader over many walks and meals
No one gets to this place in life on their own and being in community allows us to grow and to dream. As iron sharpens iron and so one person sharpens another. These women have certainly done this for me as they have both challenged and cheered me on! It is with great joy and sense of responsibility that I do the same for the next generation of architects.
Visit our Women’s History Month tribute on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/udp_architects/ to learn more about these and other incredible trailblazing women in Minnesota!
