#normamerricksklarek

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Celebrating World Architecture Day by remembering the work and legacy of Norma Sklarek. Her life has been filled with many firsts. She was the first Black woman to be licensed as an architect in New York (1954) and in California (1962). In 1959, Sklarek became the first Black woman to become a member of the American architects' national professional organization, the American Institute of Architects (AIA). In 1985, Norma Sklarek helped establish and managed the California firm Siegel, Sklarek, Diamond, one of the first woman-owned and operated architectural firm. Sklarek wanted to be an example for others, to be the role model that she never had. She developed an intelligence and tenacity of spirit that became an influence to many others in her field. . . . #herchive #archive #NormaMerrickSklarek #normasklarek #womenartist #womenarchitect #visionary #pioneer #architecture #architect #femalearchitect #africanamerican #blackhistory #americanarchitect #arthistory #modernism #worldarchitectureday #worldarchitectureday2019 (em Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3UUG_RIfdE/?igshid=1k0pj3o11itr

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As Production Director, Skarek had immense responsibilities but was rarely acknowledged on the finished project. Only the U.S. Embassy in Japan has acknowledged Sklarek's contributions. Sklarek's most significant project collaborations include City Hall in San Bernardino, California, Fox Plaza in San Francisco, California, the original Terminal One at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in California, Commons - Courthouse Center in Columbus, Indiana, the "Blue Whale" of the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, Leo Baeck Temple in Los Angeles, and the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota. . . . #herchive #archive #NormaMerrickSklarek #normasklarek #womenartist #womenarchitect #visionary #pioneer #architecture #architect #femalearchitect #africanamerican #blackhistory #rolemodel #americanarchitect #arthistory #modernism #womenofdesign (em Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3MoCAtIOe4/?igshid=13lsjofmqjm9l

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Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926–2012) also known as the “Rosa Parks of architecture” was a prominent and one of the first African American women architects in the United States. Born in Harlem, New York, Norma Merrick graduated in Architecture as one of only two women, and the only black person in her class. Despite her qualifications, being both black and female meant that Norma was routinely rejected from jobs she applied to in her field. Eventually, she took a job at the New York Department of Public Works. While working there she passed the tests to become the first Black woman to be licensed as an architect in the New York State. She was then in a better position to join larger offices.  Ten years after earning her degree and work experience in architecture, she decided to move and join Gruen and Associates in Los Angeles, California. For twenty years, Norma used both her architectural expertise and her project management skills to realize the many multi-million dollar projects of the large Gruen firm — becoming the firm's first female director in 1966. She left Gruen in 1980 and  became Vice President at Welton Becket Associates and later established Siegel, Sklarek, Diamond, the largest woman-owned architecture firm in the country. Norma Sklarek finished her professional career as Principal at the Jerde Partnership in Venice, California until her retirement in 1992. Sklarek became a role model to many young women entering the male-dominated architecture profession. Her intelligence, talent, and tenacity allowed her to overcome racism and sexism and become a notable architect and a leader in the profession. Illustration @_patriciamafra_ #herchive #archive #NormaMerrickSklarek #normasklarek #womenartist #womenarchitect #visionary #pioneer #architecture #architect #femalearchitect #africanamerican #blackhistory #rolemodel #americanarchitect #arthistory #modernism  (em New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3HV71xIPlO/?igshid=1h4oo87lgyc4d