Today is International Women’s Day, which makes me think about the state of women in the architecture profession. At a presentation this week, I saw a statistic that women compromise 18% of the membership of the American Institute of Architects.
A more diverse, inclusive profession is still a work in progress.
I have mixed feelings about this means. I can remember the percentage as low as 11% when the ink was not yet dry on my license ten years ago, so I trust that the metric is reflecting advancement. However, it is also reinforces that a vision for a more diverse, inclusive profession is still a work in progress.
I live this profession daily and understand that for a change to occur, we need to support and develop strong voices in design that more accurately reflect the demographics of our society. I do not have the big answer to this dilemma just yet. Like others, I forge ahead daily to do good work and do it well, and proudly admit that I am one of the 18%—especially to every future female architect I meet.
Below are links to articles and resources that influence my understanding on the current state of women in the work force:
- Time Magazine: Forget About Mentors—Women Need Sponsors by Sylvia Ann Hewlett
- ArchDaily: Megan Jett’s Infographic: Women in Architecture
- Parlour: Who wants to be a Woman Architect? by Karen Burns
- Huffington Post: Playing the Gender Card: The Myth of Meritocracy and Individuality in America by Marie Wilson
