As Women’s History Month draws to a close, we celebrate not only those who have broken barriers in the field but also those dedicated to advocating for inclusivity and equality.
The following women exemplify this commitment, each trailblazers in their own right, paving the way for future female architects.
Kimberly Dowdell
Kimberly Dowdell is an award-winning architect who has devoted her entire professional career to laying the foundations for architects to create positive social change on a local, national and global scale. Dowdell is a Detroit-born architect and a principal at HOK, who makes history in 2024 as the first Black woman to lead the AIA. Her presidency emphasizes climate change and adapting to architectural technology. Previously, she was president of the National Organization of Minority Architects. A visionary leader, Dowdell drives innovation and inclusivity in the field.
Katie McCamant
Katie McCamant, co-creator of ‘cohousing’, advocates for community-centered living. In the 1980s, she authored Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves with Charles Durrett.
McCamant promotes cohousing nationwide, facilitating its development and educating communities. She emphasizes its benefits: fostering close-knit communities and enabling sustainable living through collective action.
Recently, she sat down with Neal Collins, host of The Regenerative Real Estate Podcast, discussing how she coined the term ‘cohousing’ after her first exposure to it as a student studying abroad in Denmark, and how she brought the cohousing concept to the U.S.
To listen to the discussion, visit https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creating-cohousing-with-katie-mccamant/id1500361677?i=1000600494597
Jeanne Gang
Jeanne Gang, founder of Studio Gang, gained fame for designing Chicago's Aqua Tower, which ranks as the tallest building in the world designed by a woman. She also completed the St. Regis Chicago in 2020. Honored with Le Prix Charlotte Perriand in 2023. Featured in Time's 100 most influential people in 2019, she advocates for gender equality in architecture. Gang notably closed the gender pay gap at her firm in 2018, urging others to follow suit. She’s currently finishing up the MIRA Tower in the Bay area.
Laurie Allison Wilson
Laurie Allison Wilson is a licensed architect who has practiced in Seattle and San Francisco.
She is one of just over 500 Black women architects nationwide and has thrived in the profession. Notably, she founded her own firm in Seattle, practicing there until 2010. She has served as an associate and project manager at Weber Thompson, specializing in affordable housing. Her culturally responsive approach shines in projects like Africatown Plaza, reflecting her dedication to inclusive design.
Mona Johnston
Mona Johnston, a partner at Johnston Architects (JA), champions initiatives to bolster the pipeline of licensed women architects. Inspired by her mother, Mary Johnston, FAIA, who founded the firm in 1991, Mona advocates for work-life balance and gender equality. With JA's exceptional 73% female leadership and ownership, they prioritize mentorship programs, continuing education, and flexible work arrangements to empower women in architecture and increase their licensure rates.
Pascal Sablan
Pascal Sablan is an associate principal at Adjaye Associates New York studio, defies naysayers. Her leadership extends beyond the architectural field , as president of NOMA and the youngest African American inductee of the AIA College of Fellows. Sablan's journey illuminates her dedication to advancing women in architecture, advocating for inclusivity, and inspiring future generations to break barriers in the industry.
In a recent NPR article, Sablan discusses how the challenges she’s faced in her time as student ultimately fuel her passion to achieve what she’s been able to accomplish in the field. Click here to read the full article.