Archinect - News

RIBA will explore gender disparities in architecture in major new study

2024-11-01T17:17:00-04:00

This week, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced its participation with the nonprofit Fawcett Society in a new study of women architects who are either currently practicing or have left the profession. The study, which is due out next year, aims to establish a clearer picture of the scale and complexity of gender equity in the design field. It will inquire as to the reasons for a stalled rate of progress on the topic given the known barriers that exist and produce an assessment of "what works" and what further actions can be taken by different actors.

RIBA's Chief Executive Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick states: "Following decades of research, the pace of change remains far too slow compared to other professions, and significant action is still needed. Understanding the barriers to making more rapid progress is critical."

The organization is asking those interested in receiving updates from the study to sign up by visiting this link.

Generator Studio designs America's first-ever dedicated sports facility for women in Kansas City

2023-10-24T19:40:00-04:00

Generator Studio (who is currently hiring a Sr. Project Designer and Interior Designer) is nearing completion of its new milestone CPKC Stadium project in Kansas City, Missouri. Once complete, it will become the first sports facility in the United States to be solely dedicated to female competitors and serve as the home of the Kansas City Current NWSL professional soccer franchise.

The 11,500-seat stadium is being delivered on a site adjacent to the Missouri River inside the 17-acre Berkley Riverfront Park at a cost of $117 million. The firm will look to expand on its previous Kansas City area designs for the Centene Community Ice Center and the Current’s mass timber Training Facility in the process, adding a historic caveat to a portfolio of other sports sector commissions that includes the MLS Seattle Sounders FC Center, Kraken Community Iceplex, and $25 million Amalie Arena Phase Two Renovation in Tampa.

Image courtesy CPKC

The CPKC Stadium project involved Thornton Tomasetti fo...

Immigrant women detail a 'completely different world' on construction sites in NYC

2023-06-28T11:15:00-04:00

[C]onstruction is a risky job, and even more so for undocumented immigrants, who often work under informal verbal agreements. And for women, being vastly outnumbered on every construction site means more pressure to accept lower pay and mistreatment. That’s why, as more immigrant women don hard hats in New York City, advocates are training them to stand up against exploitation – and transform the construction industry itself.

More than half of New York City’s 200,000-plus-strong construction workforce are immigrants. Myriad abuses abound in informal labor markets, adding to a dangerous climate that last year saw fatalities reach a three-year high.

The women featured in the Guardian article also detailed a culture of sexual discrimination where gender norms are often a reluctant means to financial stability. As one worker stated, “Because we’re women, we are constantly being devalued in these jobs.”

This Earth Day, watch PBS’ new highlight of early solar pioneer Mária Telkes

2023-04-21T16:46:00-04:00

For nearly 50 years, chemical engineer and inventor Mária Telkes applied her prodigious intellect to harnessing the power of the sun. She designed and built the world’s first successfully solar-heated modern residence and identified a promising new chemical that, for the first time, could store solar heat like a battery. And yet, along the way, she was undercut and thwarted by her boss and colleagues — all men — at MIT.

The Hungarian-born scientist developed more than 20 patents in her lifetime and aided Eleanor Raymond on the development of the Dover Sun House in 1948.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by American Experience (@americanexperiencepbs)

"[She] knew you can’t just wait for society to be ready. You need to sell them on this idea," historian Sara Shreve-Price says in the documentary. "You need to convince them that this is the time for the idea. If we want the sustainable future, we don't just need the technology, we need to want the technology."

Director Amanda Pollak's recent Q&A about the film with Architect magazine can be found here.

Women-led project team breaks ground on the Seattle Storm Center for Basketball Performance

2023-04-03T14:47:00-04:00

Seattle welcomes a new basketball performance center that won't just be a "world-class facility" but a space to support, foster, and train female professional athletes. Four-time WNBA champions, the Seattle Storm, celebrated an important milestone as their 50,000-square-foot Seattle Storm Center for Basketball Performance broke ground on Monday, March 27.

While it's said to "be the first facility of its kind in the United States," what makes this endeavor even more notable is that its project team is 85% female-led, across five firms and practices specializing in architecture, landscape architecture, construction, and real estate.

Female design and engineering team photographed at Seattle Storm Center for Basketball Performance's groundbreaking. Image courtesy of ZGF Architects/Shive-Hattery Architects

Participating design team ZGF Architects shared: "The goal was to build a world-class facility for world-class female athletes — with women-led teams who are experts in their field."...

Featured architecture projects from female-led firms in the American Northeast

2023-03-23T13:23:00-04:00

In celebration of Women's History Month, we continue to highlight built work by female architects and female-led design practices.

After looking at some standout projects in the American West, New York, and globally in recent weeks, we head to the Northeast of the U.S. to showcase 11 firms that have posted projects to their Archinect Firm Profile.

Feeling inspired? Be sure to check out the job opportunities at female-lead firms in Archinect Jobs.

In the Dunes by Woodhull
The firm is led by directors Teresa Telander and Amy Kronenthal (CFO), along with founding principal Caleb Johnson and fellow directors in Portland, ME.

In the Dunes. Image courtesy of Woodhull. Learn more about the project here.

National Presbyterian Church - Addition and Renovation by Beyer Blinder Belle

The firm is led by partners Jil, S. Cavanaugh, Margaret Kittinger, and Elizabeth Leber (managing partner), principals Rayna Huber Erlich, Jennie Gwin, Elizabeth Kim, Carmen Menocal, and Cassie Walker, along with f...

Featured architecture projects from female-led firms based in New York

2023-03-17T11:58:00-04:00

Continuing with our project highlights featuring built work by female-led architecture and design practices, we head East to highlight nine firms that have posted projects to their Archinect Firm Profile.

From residential homes, campus extensions, adaptive reuse projects, and larger-than-life public works explore projects from female-led or owned practices below. Feeling inspired? Be sure to check out the job opportunities at female-lead firms in Archinect Jobs.

Princeton School of Architecture Addition by Architecture Research Office
This firm is led by Kim Yao alongside Stephen Cassell and Adam Yarinsky in New York, NY

Princeton School of Architecture Addition by Architecture Research Office. Learn more about the project here.

A Series of Whirlpool Field Manoeuvres for Pier 27 by Alice Aycock (AYC, Ltd.)
The practice is led by Alice Aycock in New York, NY

A Series of Whirlpool Field Manoeuvres for Pier 27 by Alice Aycock (AYC, Ltd.) Learn more about the project here.

Hide-and-Seek Ap...

Featured architecture projects from female-led international firms

2023-03-08T15:40:00-05:00

As we celebrate Women's History Month, we continue our focus on celebrating the built works of female architects and female-led architecture firms. Last week, we highlighted projects from architecture firms in the American West that have been posted to their firm profiles. Today, on International Women's Day, we share some projects across the globe including China, Portugal, Australia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Cyprus, and Georgia.

Feeling inspired? Be sure to check out the job opportunities at female-lead firms in Archinect Jobs.

Magic Bar by GB SPACE
This firm is led by Wenyu Gao and Yang Bai in Beijing, China.

Magic Bar by GB Space. Image © Ning Wang/Courtesy of GP Space. Learn more about the project here.

Heróis de África House by CREA - Arquitetos
The studio's team consists of Tânia Fernandes, Teresa Osório, and Rita Correia, along with André Camelo, Bruno Soares, and António Ataíde in Oporto, Portugal.

Heróis de África House by CREA - Arquitetos. Image courtesy o...

Featured architecture projects from female-led firms based in the American West

2023-03-01T15:20:00-05:00

As we enter Women's History Month today we begin to highlight some of the work produced by female-led firms, to complement our existing stories and profiles.

Pioneering women in the profession continue to make their mark and shift our industry into a more inclusive direction. When you look at a realized design project, however, it's not always clear who the team of leaders and designers are behind that work. To kick off a celebration of women, Archinect launches a new series featuring built projects led by female-owned and operated firms.

For our first installment, we've started with 13 architecture firms based in the American West that have posted projects to their Archinect Firm Profile. Feeling inspired? Check out the job opportunities at female-lead firms in Archinect Jobs.

B+B House by Design, Bitches
The firm is led by Catherine Johnson and Rebecca Rudolph in Los Angeles, CA

B+B House. Image © Yoshihiro Makino. Learn more about the project here.

Armstrong Ave Residence by Robi...

What's behind the record share of women in the construction trades?

2022-11-23T14:00:00-05:00

The share of women in construction has hit a record high, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Women surged into the industry starting around 2016, even as the number of men in construction lagged. ... What the heck changed?

Florida, D.C., and Arizona lead the country in terms of the percentage share that women occupy in construction industry labor markets for each state, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This can be partially attributed to a 117% increase in the number of Hispanic women employed primarily on job sites over the past six years, though sustained low unemployment rates combined with a “chronic shortage of skilled labor” and an increase in job training programs have been contributing factors along with better hiring practices overall.

“It feels like this is the moment where all of the preparation that the tradeswomen movement has been making over the years is finally being met with a huge opportunity,” National Center for Women’s Equity in Apprenticeship and Employment associate director Lark Jackson told WaPo before adding that last year's Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill was an additional “game changer for women’s inclusion in the trades.”

...

Number of licensed Black female architects increases to 500

2020-12-21T17:55:00-05:00

The push for increasing the number of Black licensed architects has been an ongoing effort. Organizations like NOMA and individuals like Norma Merrick Sklarek, Paul Williams, Zena Howard, Phillip Freelon, Gabrielle Bullock, Curtis Moody, and many others have paved the way for a new generation of Black architects and architects of color to continue to make a difference within the industry.

(L) Norma Merrick Sklarek was among the first Black women to become a licensed architect in both New York state and California. She was also the first Black woman elected to the AIA College of Fellows. Image courtesy of AIA|LA (R) Georgia Louise Harris Brown was the first African American woman to graduate with an architecture degree and the second professionally licensed African American female architect in the nation. Image courtesy of Sarah Brown.

However, when it comes to licensed female architects, specifically Black female architects, the disparity in numbers is quite evident. Katherine Willia...

Should men learn to "lean out"?

2019-10-11T05:00:00-04:00

In the workplace, probably unsurprisingly to many women who are routinely talked over, patronized or ignored by male colleagues, research shows that rather than women being underconfident, men tend to be overconfident in relation to their actual abilities. Women generally aren’t failing to speak up; the problem is that men are refusing to pipe down.

Author Ruth Whippman, writing in The New York Times, questions the focus on coaching women to adopt the aggressive social behaviors of men in the workplace. Might these efforts be more effective if men were simultaneously encouraged to cede space, attention, and power in a reciprocal manner?

"The assumption that assertiveness is a more valuable trait than say, deference is itself the product of a ubiquitous and corrosive gender hierarchy," Whippman writes. This bias, according to Whippman, includes career and educational focuses, including the fact that "tax dollars are poured into encouraging girls to take up STEM subjects, but no one seems to care much whether boys become nurses."

With progress toward pay equity in the architecture field more or less stalled, and executive-level imbalances continuing for the foreseeable future, should more men adopt a "lean out" approach?

Tools & Tiaras: empowering girls for a career in construction — and for life itself

2019-10-09T15:56:00-04:00

That’s what I’m trying to do with Tools & Tiaras: Have girls start envisioning that it’s normal for a woman to be an ironworker, to be my sister, to be working with me. Our stories are not told; no woman really knows: “Wow, she looks like me. She’s only four feet eleven and seven eighths and she’s doing plumbing? I can do it.” Society needs to change the way we portray what is women’s work and what tradespeople look like.

Judaline Cassidy, a New York-based plumber and the founder/director of the nonprofit Tools & Tiaras Inc, explains her struggles to break into the overwhelmingly male-dominated construction industry (only 3.4 percent of construction trades workers are women), the progress that has been made in recent years, and how she hopes to boost female participation in the architecture, construction, and engineering workforce of this young, next generation.

View this post on Instagram Let's hear for the girls!! New Jersey camp week was #dreamlit They came conquered and slayed all that was put in front of them. Welding Architectural Plumbing Sheet Metal Carpentry Electrical. Thanks @american_standard @kiewitcorp and Morris Community Center for helping us bring our Tools & Tiaras camp to New Jersey. #girlscamp #girlsintrades #theyneedtheirownshow #constructionsite #girlsbuildingempires #explorethetrades
A post shared by Tools & Tiaras Inc.®️ (@tools_n_tiaras) on Sep 4, 201...

Architectural Record announces five American architects as the winners of its Women in Architecture Awards

2019-09-11T12:30:00-04:00

2019 marks the sixth year Architectural Record announces its annual Women in Architecture Awards. Recognizing the accomplishments and leadership of women across five categories, this year's award recipients are:

Toshiko Mori - Design Leader
Sharon Johnston - New Generation Leader
Claire Weisz - Innovator
Dana Cuff - Activist
Mabel O. Wilson - Educator

Each architect has established themselves not only as an innovator in the field, but also as an example of resiliency and dedication to the profession. The conversation regarding the importance of increased female representation within the profession has grown tremendously over the years and these women, through their work and skill, are now at the forefront of that movement.

However, as Cathleen McGuigan, the editor in chief of Architectural Record shares in a conversation with Sophie Haigney of the New York Times, "One of the things we learned is that women architects don’t want to be known as women architects. They want to be known as ...

African-American women are propelling Detroit's architecture and interior design scenes

2019-08-26T15:32:00-04:00

For August, Archinect has explored a variety of topics relating to the changing landscape of the city of Detroit, including new initiatives in design and public policy, academics, and architectural practice.

As we near the end of the month, our focus turns to the architects, designers, urban planners, and community-centered programs in Detroit that have collaborated to enrich neighborhoods and develop stronger examples of equity within the area.

According to Erica Snow of Business of Home, a 2018 report from Design Core Detroit states the nature of Detroit's growth. "Design is thriving in the Motor City [..] architecture and interior design were $489.6 million and $148.6 million industries, respectively, in the city's metropolitan area, and the design industry as a whole grew 15-percent between 2012 and 2016."

This type of growth and focus on design has made Detroit into a "must watch city." The area has a vibrant past and bright future that is coming together thanks to dedicated...

Learning from the female architects behind Africa's tallest building

2019-08-12T16:00:00-04:00

Co-Arc International Architects director Catharine Atkins and architect Malika Walele are the leading women behind the 55-story building on Maude Street, which was designed by Co-Arc’s emeritus partner, Francois Pienaar.

In Sandton, Johannesburg stands the Leonardo, Africa's tallest building. Designed by the team of Co-Arc International Architects, the building stands at 55-stories tall and is set to be completed this year.

Besides the record-breaking height of the building, there's another aspect to this project that has made headlines: The design team behind the project is predominantly female-led. However, according to the Co-Arc team, this detail went unnoticed until a recent progress photo of the project emerged.

Co-Arc International Architects’ Director Catharine Atkins and professional architect Malika Walele are supported by Salome Daley, Janel Venter, Megan Holman, Angela Barnard, Keitsitse Losaba, Antonella Giuricich, Rachel Zwane and Mitchell Gibbon. Image courtesy of Co-Arc International Architects' Director Catharine Atkins.

According to TimesLIVE writer Alex Patrick, "The thought of an all-woman architect team doesn't sound groundbreaking until you consider only 21-percent of South Af...

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography grows to include early women architects

2019-07-23T18:44:00-04:00

The lives and work of England's first practicing women architects are being highlighted in a new update to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography in Britain (DNB), the country's standard reference of notable figures from British history.

Crafted by Dr. Elizabeth Darling, reader in architectural history at Oxford Brookes University, the new entries signify part of an effort by DNB to mark the centenary of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act of 1919 that allowed women in Britain to serve in certain branches of the government.

Although women were not legally barred from practicing architecture at the time, they did face significant cultural barriers to entering the profession due to long-held apprentice-oriented training practices that were prevalent into the 20th century, according to DNB. Women architects existed prior to 1919, but only in small numbers. When architectural education began to take place within schools of architecture, according to DNB, women were able to und...

Ladies in the room: With women at the helm of several architecture schools in the U.S., where does gender disparity go from here?

2019-07-16T10:50:00-04:00

People often ask me if that’s the reason women don’t go into architecture or leave architecture, but I don’t think so. I don’t think there’s one single reason. I think for decades it has been a combination of lots of little reasons - being the only woman in the room, not being respected on construction sites, and add into that working hours, balanced with wanting to be a parent, all those things together have discouraged women. But I do see it changing.

In 2019, the rise of female leadership and representation in architectural academia has become more apparent then ever. In practice and academia, women have risen to position themselves amongst a male-dominated profession. Yale has Deborah Berke, Cornell has Meejin Yoon, Columbia has Amale Andraos, Princeton has Mónica Ponce de León, Harvard has the newly appointed Sarah Whiting, and recently Pratt Institute has announced the deanship of Dr. Harriet Harriss.

With the following institutions showcasing women leading the charge, what exactly does this mean for increasing equity and representation to the profession? In a recent interview, Deborah Berke chats with Forbes about what needs to happen in order for gender disparity to dwindle.

During her interview with Heather Senison, Berke talks numbers and shares why women have turned away from the profession. When asked about architecture schools and if institutions need to do a better job at attracting female leadership and students, Be...

'The question is not how we can educate architects but how can we make world citizens'

2019-04-23T17:16:00-04:00

“Yeah,” she says “the first woman director, I know, I know. But if we keep talking about it, this will never become natural [...] Gilabert is visible and audible in a way that previous directors of this chaotic little architecture school with an outsized global influence have not generally been. Mostly quiet men, they have managed the school through a repeat loop of terminal-looking financial, academic and intellectual crises, yet it has somehow survived.

After taking on the position as the new director of the Architectural Association in London back in March 2018 the exuberant and relentless architect, educator, and director recently shared her plans in an interview with the Financial Times.

Traditionally the AA School has been rooted in radical design as it continues to foster discourse and critical thinking towards the evolving pedagogy of architecture. The school's long list of notable alumni only adds to its rich history and direction as an institution. With Eva Franch i Gilabert leading the charge her tidal wave of ideas, opinions, and stimulating thoughts towards what the future of architectural education will look like is quite inspiring. A fan of bureaucracy and procedures she has dedicated much attention to creating a study of understanding the "internal business practices of architectural practices." Eccentric in her thoughts yet precise in her execution Gilabert does not shy from blending her disciplinary interests of ar...

Women-focused co-working space The Wing makes a new home in West Hollywood

2019-04-20T11:31:00-04:00

Los Angeles is filled with members-only workspaces that are quickly becoming overcrowded and perhaps not filled with enough women. However, this past week the "women's - focused co-working and networking space" The Wing opened its first LA location. Located in West Hollywood off of Santa Monica Boulevard the 11,00 square foot location offers more than an open concept workspace.

Image by Madeline Tolle, courtesy of The Wing

Officially starting in New York, the members of The Wing have created a space where women can not only work but also thrive. Before we get to the heavily curated and designed interiors, the location offers a space for women to feel empowered, safe, and free to "create, connect, and generate opportunities." Other than the typical co-working space amenities, The Wing provides a locally sourced menu, ample work, and outdoor spaces and a pump room.

Image by Madeline Tolle, courtesy of The Wing

Image by Madeline Tolle, court...

9 More Firms Offering Architecture and Urban Planning Job Opportunities at Female-Led Firms

2019-03-15T11:54:00-04:00

Urban planners play critical roles in creating and developing the success and feasibility of the built environment. From pioneers like Octavia Hill and Norma Sklarek to women like Amanda Burden and Maya Lin, their work and contributions have shaped cities of our past, present, and future.

Following up from last week's job roundup, we continue to highlight the success and continued progress of women during National Women's Month, Archinect has selected 9 firms whose practice focuses on urban planning, architecture, design, and development initiatives with prominent female leads and members.

Do you know of a female-powered firm that is currently hiring on Archinect Jobs? Let us know by sending us an email to jobs@archinect.com

Olivewood Village Model by AuWORKSHOP

AuWORKSHOP is currently seeking a Junior Designer
Location: Fort Collins, CO
[au]workshop | architects+urbanists located in Fort Collins, Colorado is seeking a well-rounded Architectural Intern / Designer t...

New website champions the remarkable contributions made by 50 pioneering women in architecture

2017-12-20T19:40:00-05:00

Norma Merrick Sklarek was the first African American woman architect to be registered in New York and California. She was also the first black woman to be elected to the prestigious Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and the first female director of Gruen and Associates, where she worked behind the scenes on some their largest architectural projects such as the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, CA. However, despite her immense responsibilities and vital contributions, she was rarely acknowledged on the finished project and you likely weren't taught about her in architecture school.

Seeking to change that, the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation has recently launched a new website that highlights the far too often overlooked history of women in architecture by featuring the stories of 50 trailblazing women, Sklarek included. The website, Pioneering Women in American Architecture, is the culmination of a five-year research effort by the foundation made possible b...

NCARB reveals diversity in the architectural profession has increased

2017-08-10T13:30:00-04:00

In 2016, 42 percent of new AXP participants and 30 percent of new ARE candidates identified as non-white—up three percentage points for both groups. However, diversity among newly licensed architects and NCARB Certificate holders remained the same. For comparison, 38 percent of the U.S. population identifies as either non-white or Hispanic, according to 2015 estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.

There are now more women and non-white participants in architecture as of 2016 according to the NCARB, which has just released its 2017 "By the Numbers" report. As NCARB notes in a press release:

“While several groups remain underrepresented within the profession, these trends point to growing diversity among licensure candidates, and eventually, future architects,” said NCARB President Kristine A. Harding, NCARB, AIA. “In response, NCARB will continue to ensure our programs balance inclusivity with the rigor needed to protect the public.”

Screening of "100 Women Architects in the Studio of Frank Lloyd Wright" on June 28th

2017-06-22T20:03:00-04:00

Featuring a talk by Dr. Ann Rubbo on the artist and architect Marion Mahony Griffin, this screening of "A Girl is a Fellow Here: 100 Women Architects in the Studio of Frank Lloyd Wright" at the Center for Architecture in New York on June 28th at 6 p.m. investigates Wright's history of working with women, focusing on six ladies who worked with the architect, including Marion Mahony Griffin, Isabel Roberts, Lois Gottlieb, Jane Duncombe, Eleanore Pettersen, and Read Weber. Here's a trailer for the film:

RIBA to celebrate women in the field by remembering trailblazer Ethel Charles, the first woman to join the organization

2017-06-16T12:39:00-04:00

At the turn of the century, women were rare in the field of architecture—something that, while certainly improved, remains a deeply unfortunate reality of the profession that urgently requires attention and remediation.

A notable exception was Ethel Mary Charles, the first women to join the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), helping pave the way for the thousands of women who’ve followed in her footsteps. On July 5, 2017, RIBA celebrates Charles with #EthelDay, a day of international social media campaigning to recognize the indelible mark that women have left in the field since her day.

RIBA encourages everyone to share a picture of a film of a woman architect you find inspiring (and/or one of their designs), with the hashtag #EthelDay.

“I encourage architects, students and their educators, design professionals and enthusiasts from around the world to join me in celebrating the contribution of women in architecture,” states Jane Duncan, RIBA President and founder of Interna...

SCI-Arc can't seem to find a single female architect to include in its Spring 2017 lecture series

2017-01-11T17:28:00-05:00

SCI-Arc has announced its Spring 2017 lecture series. And not a single female architect was included in the list. Really, SCI-Arc?

Granted, the roster includes historian and theorist Sylvia Lavin as well as the artist Amalia Ulman—but the lack of a single practicing female architect is pretty striking. In recent years, criticism has been waged at institutions for privileging men when it comes to lecture series, as well as panels, faculty, exhibitions, firms, commissions, wages, and interpersonal relations.

It’s not exactly like there’s a paucity of exceptionally talented women in the field. The Feminist Wall of Shame also took note and posted on the omission.

Blair Kamin's standout Chicago architects of 2016 are all female, "but that's incidental"

2016-12-22T12:36:00-05:00

Jeanne Gang completed three exceptional projects, including the dramatic Writers Theatre in Glencoe, and saw construction begin on her 98-story Vista Tower [...] Carol Ross Barney finished the latest extension of Chicago's downtown Riverwalk [...] Juanita Irizarry, executive director of Friends of the Parks, led the successful fight against George Lucas' planned narrative art museum [...] What unites these achievements? Probably the fact that gender, in the end, had little to do with them.

NYC becomes first city to provide free tampons and pads in public schools, prisons, and shelters

2016-06-23T14:19:00-04:00

Today, the New York City Council unanimously passed a set of bills requiring free menstrual-hygiene products in public schools, prisons, and shelters, making it the first city in the nation to pass so-called "menstrual equity" legislation. The city will budget for tampons and pads just like it does for toilet paper and hand soap.

"Tampons and pads are not currently covered by public-assistance programs and some school-aged girls stay home or use products longer than they should when they get their periods. Women in prisons face rationing and degrading treatment from corrections officers."

For more public health-related news, check out these links:

More women joined the profession in 2015 than ever before

2016-06-16T17:27:00-04:00

The architectural design profession continues to grow, with more women pursuing licensure than ever before, according to data released today by the NCARB...The number of practitioners working toward licensure reached an all-time high in 2015 with more than 41,500 individuals either taking the Architect Registration Exam, reporting Architecture Experience Program (AXP, formerly IDP) hours, or both. That’s up from 37,178 in 2014—a record high at that time.

But, as a recent poll conducted by the AIA shows, gender discrimination and harassment remains high. More than two-thirds of women polled in a survey in March reported a lack of gender equity in architecture.

For more on the state of women in the profession, check out these links:

How sexist is architecture? Female architects share their experiences

2016-04-13T12:54:00-04:00

After Ms. Hadid died on March 31 at 65, The New York Times, in an informal online questionnaire, asked female architects among its readers to talk candidly about their experiences in the profession: the progress they’ve made and the obstacles they still face on construction sites and in client meetings. Below are edited excerpts from a few of some 200 responses we received.

Architecture, already a tough field, can be even more challenging if you happen to be female. As Christine Matheu from Bloomington, Indiana recalls in this article, “There was a time when women were not allowed to be members of the Century Club. About that same time, as a young architect trying to survive, I was doing exhibition design and had been hired by an N.Y.C. art collector to do an installation of Piranesi prints for the Century Club. When the club learned that I was a woman architect, I was not allowed to install the exhibit. I, like many other women architects, found it much easier and less humiliating to just strike out on my own. I have been in my own practice now for 20 years.”

Also, a lifetime pro tip: STOP CALLING WOMEN OVER 18 GIRLS. Thanks!