Celebrating Women in Design

MARCH 1, 2025

This March, we set out to shine a spotlight on remarkable women whose stories, ideas, and creations have shaped the world of design, architecture, and visual culture. For Women’s History Month, we celebrated 10 amazing pioneering architects. Women who, often overshadowed by their male counterparts, are nevertheless recognized as some of the strongest voices of design.

Throughout the series, we aimed not only to present biographical snapshots but also to connect each woman’s work with lessons, insights, or legacies that resonate today.

For the last five years, we’ve also been highlighting Equal Pay Day — a public awareness day established by the National Committee on Pay Equity (NCPE) — which symbolizes the gender wage gap by illustrating how far into the year women must work to earn what men earn in the previous year.

In 2025, that day was March 25, the 57th workday of the year. Unfortunately, this represents a 10-day loss compared to 2024.

It is clear that the archive isn’t complete: women’s contributions to design and architecture are significantly underdocumented. Women’s History Month gives a focused moment, but equity in the design narrative requires sustained attention year-round.

Martha Ann Cassell Thompson She became the chief restoration architect for the Washington National Cathedral. A graduate of Cornell University, she was one of the first African American women to earn a degree in architecture from the institution. — **Martha Ann Cassell Thompson**
She became the chief restoration architect for the Washington National Cathedral. A graduate of Cornell University, she was one of the first African American women to earn a degree in architecture from the institution.

Alberta Jeannette Cassell Butler Cassell worked for the U.S. Navy, including roles at the Naval Research Laboratory and the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command. Even after retirement, she continued a creative life, pursuing photography and writing child — **Alberta Jeannette Cassell Butler**
Cassell worked for the U.S. Navy, including roles at the Naval Research Laboratory and the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command. Even after retirement, she continued a creative life, pursuing photography and writing children's books.

Urmila Eulie Chowdhury A trailblazing Indian architect, landscape architect, and writer who broke barriers in a male-dominated field. As one of Asia's first female architects, she was integral to the design of Chandigarh. — **Urmila Eulie Chowdhury**
A trailblazing Indian architect, landscape architect, and writer who broke barriers in a male-dominated field. As one of Asia's first female architects, she was integral to the design of Chandigarh.

Aino Aalto Aino contributed to architecture, furniture, textiles, and glassware, with her work displayed in museums like MoMA. She was a key figure in blending modernist principles with traditional Finnish design, creating functional yet beautiful — **Aino Aalto**
Aino contributed to architecture, furniture, textiles, and glassware, with her work displayed in museums like MoMA. She was a key figure in blending modernist principles with traditional Finnish design, creating functional yet beautiful spaces.

Aline Louchheim Saarinen A distinguished American art and architecture critic, author, and television journalist. Her work as a strategist was vital in pioneering modern architectural publicity and shaping the public relations of architects. — **Aline Louchheim Saarinen**
A distinguished American art and architecture critic, author, and television journalist. Her work as a strategist was vital in pioneering modern architectural publicity and shaping the public relations of architects.

Florence Knoll Bassett As a pioneering architect and furniture designer, she played a key role in shaping Knoll's legacy, leading the company’s design direction for over six decades.Her work included creating iconic pieces such as the Knoll lounge — **Florence Knoll Bassett**
As a pioneering architect and furniture designer, she played a key role in shaping Knoll's legacy, leading the company’s design direction for over six decades.Her work included creating iconic pieces such as the Knoll lounge chair and sofa.

Ray Kaiser Eames She co-founded the Eames Office and played a key role in shaping iconic designs like the Eames Lounge Chair. Ray’s unique approach combined her background in abstract painting and graphic design with her deep interest in structure — **Ray Kaiser Eames**
She co-founded the Eames Office and played a key role in shaping iconic designs like the Eames Lounge Chair. Ray’s unique approach combined her background in abstract painting and graphic design with her deep interest in structure and play.

Louise Blanchard Bethune The first woman in the US to practice as a professional architect. Bethune designed over 150 buildings, including the renowned Hotel Lafayette. She made history as the first woman elected to the AIA (1888) and the first fem — **Louise Blanchard Bethune**
The first woman in the US to practice as a professional architect. Bethune designed over 150 buildings, including the renowned Hotel Lafayette. She made history as the first woman elected to the AIA (1888) and the first female Fellow (1889).

Anne Griswold Tyng Tyng's design philosophy explored the application of complex geometries and mathematical forms in architecture. Her research and ideas significantly shaped renowned projects like the Trenton Bath House and City Tower. — **Anne Griswold Tyng**
Tyng's design philosophy explored the application of complex geometries and mathematical forms in architecture. Her research and ideas significantly shaped renowned projects like the Trenton Bath House and City Tower.

Denise Scott Brown Her groundbreaking work, 'Learning from Las Vegas', co-authored with Venturi and Izenour, shook the architectural world by critiquing Modernism and embracing symbolism, ornamentation, and popular culture in design. — **Denise Scott Brown**
Her groundbreaking work, 'Learning from Las Vegas', co-authored with Venturi and Izenour, shook the architectural world by critiquing Modernism and embracing symbolism, ornamentation, and popular culture in design.

Equal Pay Day March 25 is the 57th work day of 2025. This represents how many ADDITIONAL days, on average, a woman must work to earn what a man earned LAST YEAR. — **Equal Pay Day**
March 25 is the 57th work day of 2025. This represents how many ADDITIONAL days, on average, a woman must work to earn what a man earned LAST YEAR.

The challenges grow more complex for women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and women with disabilities who face compounded inequities. Black women work an additional 134 days and Latina women, an additional 189 days to earn the same salary as a white, non-Hispanic man.