Architect Norma Merrick Sklarek was born in Harlem, New York 1926. Sklarek’s 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 1980, she was the first woman to be elected a Fellow of the AIA (FAIA). In 1985, Norma Sklarek helped establish and managed the California firm Siegel, Sklarek, Diamond, one of the first woman-owned and operated architectural firms.
Norma Merrick Sklarek collaborated with design architects to transform building ideas from paper to architectural realities. Her achievements were already incredible, despite prejudices and lack of opportunity, and during her time at Gruen Associates Sklarek was able to rise to become the Director of Architecture. She oversaw much of the company’s hiring, as well as major projects like the California Mart, Fox Plaza, Pacific Design Center, San Bernardino City Hall, and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.
California Mart, 1963
Embassy of the United States, Tokyo
After retirement, she mentored many young minorities and women architects hope that they would get advice and guidance because she had no one to admire during her educational and early days as an architect.
“Architecture should be working on improving the environment of people in their homes, in their places of work, and their places of recreation. It should be functional and pleasant, not just in the image of the ego of the architect.”
-Norma Merrick Sklarek
Resources:
Hale, Jack. “Norma Merrick Sklarek, ‘the Rosa Parks of Architecture’.” The Modernist, The Modernist, 17 June 2020, www.the-modernist.org/news/2020/6/16/norma-merrick-sklarek-the-rosa-parks-of-architecture.
“Architect Spotlight: Norma Merrick Sklarek.” 1767, 19 June 2020, 1767designs.com/blogs/news/architect-spotlight-norma-merrick-sklarek.
Craven, Jackie. “Breaking Barriers for Black American Women.” ThoughtCo, 3 July 2019, www.thoughtco.com/norma-merrick-sklarek-faia-177422.
Craven, Jackie. “Breaking Barriers for Black American Women.” ThoughtCo, 3 July 2019, www.thoughtco.com/norma-merrick-sklarek-faia-177422.
It’s important to include the struggles important WOC faced in their path to success. Well done!
Love to hear more about black woman voice!
I like how you inserted her picture here, it is important to recognize these people’s faces while reading thwir biography. This is something I should have done!