Kentucky Women-in-Architecture
This is a repost from the original KY-WiA post, kicking off a network of women in Kentucky architecture in 2018.
Hi all. We’re glad you found us. I think I unknowingly spent years looking for something like this, but it wasn’t until late last year (2017) that the idea emerged to form a group for Kentucky women in architecture. Based on one conversation, reflecting on one reading, we had an idea, a challenge, a goal, that became suddenly very clear: We needed a group to connect and improve the growth of women in the field of architecture, in the state of Kentucky.
What kick-started this idea was a chat about the numbers and statistics presented in NCARB’s annual report, By the Numbers ( www.ncarb.org/nbtn2017). I had never looked at this document before, and we all can guess at the general summary: that women and minorities are significantly underrepresented within the field. Yes, we know it’s a man’s world traditionally. One version of my career could be summarized by the image of me, plus 15 men in a construction trailer. That’s what I joke is my “every day”.
But, reading the simple numbers started to make a new and fresh impact on me. Women, across the board, represent about 25% of registered architects. While the percentages are ever-improving, Kentucky ranks very low amid the states, representing only about 13.5% registered female architects. The total registered architects in Kentucky is about 100 (there are about 736 total registered architects in the state, not counting reciprocal licenses). When I considered the fact that there are only about 110,000 architects across the U.S., things felt shockingly clear. The women-registered architects in KY are less than .1% of the total architects. Point 1. Adding in another 100 or so women who are in the field, on their way (or not) to being licensed, and we are still not even a quarter percent of the total architects out there.
It’s no wonder I’ve felt out of place most of my career. I realized I never had the role model I needed. These numbers felt very personal and eye-opening. We became inspired. To provide paths for change. To provide and help guide a growing generation of newly focused, aware, strong and vocal network of female leaders in our field. That’s why we’re here. And I’m hoping its at least part of why you’re here too. We need each other, because this work is hard, life takes its inevitable convoluted paths, and nothing helps more than knowing you have support, and a voice that is heard.
We envision a lot of potential for the Ky WiA group. We are holding monthly gatherings, with Louisville and Lexington as home bases. We want to shift the already moving stats and numbers, together. Among the many ideas we’ve put out on the table are: networking socials; mentoring groups; book discussions; how-to workshops; group outings to other allied arts/creative/design events; history lecturers; social media profiles of Kentucky-based women in the field, participation in charitable events; movie nights; and an open-ended list of workshop and learning events.
We’ve done quite a bit of information gathering and research on how other cities have formed WiA groups, and while many are associated as a committee of AIA, our choice right now is to be a separate entity, not requiring membership to AIA to find new mentors and friends among our select group of women in this state. Our intent is for this group to be for women trained and working in the field of architecture. You don’t have to be registered yet. Or even on the path. We want this to be an inclusive group for establishing supportive networks across the state for women. We can all expand each other’s experiences for the better.
“Stand together. Have a look around at one another. We are the future.”
Jane Smith — Spacesmith
https://www.ncarb.org/blog/elevate-women-architecture-have-a-look-around
Originally published at https://www.ky-wia.org.
