Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926-2012) was the first African-American woman to be licensed as an architect in New York State and was chosen as the first African-American woman from the Institute of Research Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. In 2008, she received the Whitney M. Young Jr Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), which is given to those who have made positive changes in their profession. Her most famous works are Terminal 1 at Los Angeles International Airport and the United States Embassy building in Tokyo.
Norma had special qualities for math and art. Her father encouraged her to study architecture and she managed to enter Columbia University, where her colleagues and her economic differences were notable. In 1950, Sklarek was the only African-American woman to graduate as an architect. With her title and fresh ideas, she was rejected by 19 companies that saw only one black woman. In 1959, she was the first African American woman to enter the American Institute of Architects.
Norma had special qualities for math and art. Her father encouraged her to study architecture and she managed to enter Columbia University, where her colleagues and her economic differences were notable. In 1950, Sklarek was the only African-American woman to graduate as an architect. With her title and fresh ideas, she was rejected by 19 companies that saw only one black woman. In 1959, she was the first African American woman to enter the American Institute of Architects.
