Women in Architecture As architects, we have a profound influence over our communities and the built environment. However, demographically, the gender makeup of the architectural profession does not reflect the populations we serve. In Utah, women make up less than 20% of practicing architects. NCARB and the AIA have studied gender disparity in the profession and have identified disparities along the path to licensure and within the profession that result in high attrition for women. Women in Architecture (WIA) SLC is a local nonprofit that operates towards a singular goal: gender parity in the field of architecture. We achieve that goal through three core strategies: Community, Mentoring and Advocacy. Community WIA SLC provides a network that builds and supports the local community of women in the architectural field. Studies show that women make up nearly 50% of architecture students nationally. (Our local numbers are, unfortunately, lower.) Once out of school, the percentage of women that get licensed drops to below 30%, and they are entering a field where local architects are only 15% women. This limits the number of mentors and examples of women in senior leadership positions within their firms. Beyond this, the competitive culture of architecture makes it very difficult to meet and socialize with women from other firms. WIA helps unite the community of women by hosting various events, lectures, seminars and volunteer opportunities each year. Social events such as the Partini, a New Year social and a summer family-oriented social are fun for our community to gather in a low-stress environment. The annual PechaKucha is another opportunity WIA uses to highlight the contributions of women in our community and expose young architects and licensing candidates to opportunities within the design fields. BY CELESTIA CARSON, PRINCIPAL, VCBO / PRESIDENT, WIASLC 20 REFLEXION
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