Finding Empowerment as a Woman in a Male-Dominated Field
By Haley
Who is your role model? Why?
My role model is Denise Scott Brown. Despite being a founder of the postmodern movement in architecture, Scott Brown became overshadowed by her husband when he alone was awarded the Pritzker Prize. Over 20 years later, she bravely spoke out about the snub and shined a huge spotlight on misogyny in her profession. It's because of women like her that I want to make a change in many design professions.
What are you most proud of in your life?
I’m most proud of pursuing opportunities that further my education and understanding of the world. I had the opportunity to join a research project that created a pavilion for the 2019 International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures in Barcelona, Spain. Being a part of this project introduced me to new technology, multi-disciplinary research techniques and exposed me to a new culture at the conference in Barcelona. Our team was awarded an honorable mention for our submission and presentation, which was an amazing accomplishment for our team. This project encouraged me to go out for amazing opportunities like this, even if I feel like I don’t have all the answers to a problem.
What are you passionate about?
I have a great passion for our environment and our role within it. As a graduate architecture student, I have focused my research on sustainability and green architecture to understand how future generations of architects can build sustainably, efficiently and consciously. We will always need new buildings, so why not build them with the smallest impact for a better future?
What makes you feel confident?
I feel confident when I try my best each and every day. It could be making a healthy meal for myself, or even completing an assignment that has taken a lot of work. Trying my best to educate, progress and empower myself as well as others is where I find my confidence.
What is your Favorite Inspirational quote?
“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I’d tell my younger self not to be so hard on herself. Being a woman in a male-dominated field, like architecture, makes you try even harder to prove yourself to others, but the only person you need to impress and be proud of is yourself. I would also say to make time for yourself, even when you feel too busy or overwhelmed. Nothing great can happen when you don’t take care of yourself first.
