Newsletter | Jan/Feb 1973
Volume 1:1
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| In this issue: | DECEMBER 1972 - Mary Laleyan Organization Purposes and Structure Diagram - Mary Laleyan and Wendy Bertrand Topics Discussed at Gathering #2 - Mary Laleyan FEBRUARY 1973 - Mary Laleyan |
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#555 |
First gathering and attendance listShare #541On November 5, 1972 the following women in architecture signed in at Wendy Bertrand's Place on Hillegass Street in Oakland, California to talk about organizing women in the field of architecture. It was agree to meet again on Sunday December 3, 1972 and invite others who might be interested. Listed here In the order they signed in: Anne Grete Hestnes Danica Trucklikova Susan Henke Wendy Bertrand Chiu Lin Chan Teresita C. Yerre Dace Blaumanis Ruth Balden Mui Ho Mary Laleyan Lia Margulies Mary Bulota The original list has addresses and some employers' names (Archived here by Wendy Bertrand, December 2011) |
by Mary Laleyan | Share
#622 |
Invitation and Map to Second GatheringShare #626 |
Organization Purposes and Structure Diagramby Mary Laleyan and Wendy Bertrand | Share #625 |
Topics Discussed at Gathering #2by Mary Laleyan | Share #627Handwritten notes by Mary Laleyan summarized here by Wendy Bertrand After the presentation and acceptance of the above chart, the discussion cented on the subject of employment. Ruth Balden immediately volunteered to be the contact person for Employment issues, her name was entered in the organizational chart. 1. Ruth will spread the news about jobs. 2. Ruth will talk to potential employers. 3. Ruth will collect short summaries of known discrimination for future action. 4. Ruth will keep track of firms that have a record of equal treatment. 5. The Department of Human Resources Development was suggested as a good source for job hunting. 6. Since Beverly Willis was quoted as saying "Girls don't know how to sell themselves." we decided to invite her to speak about "How to look for employment." 7. Mary volunteer to be responsible for Education and she would be open to any topics or speakers of interest. She will contact Beverly Willis. 8. Wendy volunteered for Public Relations. Bobbie Sue Hood offered to help her. 9. We watched a TV presentation by Lorraine Lahr, President of NOW. 10. Some dicussion started about the name of the organization, and was postponed for next meeting. 11. Wendy described her work on the BART Impact Studies with the Institute of Urban and Regional Development at UC Berkeley Next meeting to be Jan 11, 1973 6:30 location to be decided. (Archived here by Wendy Bertrand, December 2011) |
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#556 |
Join Us!: Our Third meeting announcementShare #623 |
by Mary Laleyan | Share
#557 |
Beverly Willis SpeaksShare #544The Women in-Architecture will have their next meeting Thursday, February 8 at 6:30 PM LOCATION: The Conference Room of Anshen and Allen's Office, 461 Bush Street, San Francisco, 4th Floor SPEAKER: Beverly Willis, AIA SUBJECT:The Profession * The Women * The Problems All women interested are invited. For information call: 986-4351 (9-5 weekdays) ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN ARCHITECTS - S.F. Bay Area Meeting notes: I cannot believe that everyone present did not share my enthusiastic response to Beverly Willis enlightening presentation. After-an interesting and informative slide presentation by Ms. Willis on work she and her firm have done over the years and particularly since last year when her office was --"computerized" the group got down to asking questions. The questions centered on two major subjects: The place of computers and the place of women in the field of architecture. Ms. Willis said she felt her knowledge compiled during years of experience was lost for those who are working in her office, because she is too busy to pass it on to them Now, with the introduction of the computer this knowledge is stored for use by all who are working for her. She is using some commercially available programs,but mostly she is working with her own programs based on data collected in the office throughout the years. Programming is not difficult to learn and most computer manufacturers provide training courses. When questioned on what she looks for when interviewing applicants As. Willis said she takes all things into account, from spelling to appearance. She said it is important to emphasize one's skills, when applying for a job, in relation to what the firm needs. Ms. Willis suggested finding out whatthe particular firm you are being interviewed by is all about, before the interview, and using that information to your advantage during the interview. Yes, she said, appearance is important. No blue-jeans, or pantsuits on interviews. Even now, Ms. Willis revealed, she takes care in choosing the proper dress for the proper client and in-fact tries to dress as innocuously as possible to make sure the clients attention is directed towards what she is trying to sell; her services. Above all, Ms. Willis emphasized, have confidence in yourself. If you want "in" into the business world you must be willing to play the game to some degree. Remember the majority of firms, etc., are still run by the establishment. Several women were interested in how Ms. Willis had overcome the prejudice and discrimination towards women in the field of architecture. Ms. Willis said it is inevitable in life to meet with people who will not respond to you as a person, regardless of sex. It took her several years to realize that some of what she rationalized as discrimination existed in her mind only. Some, but not all. She told of a time when she was appointed to a committee and was very flattered until she realized that all they wanted was her name and not her brain. However, she did not let that intimidate her, fought hard and eventually got things done her way, which fortunately turned out to be the right way. Asked what would have happened had she been wrong, she smiled and said that at that point of her career any mistake would have been fatal. It is impossible to reiterate all that transpired in the two hour Ms. Willis was with us - next time be there. ML |
Organization of Women Architects (OWA) name chosenShare #558Much of the discussion at the previous meeting had centered on the word "women" and if it should be used. Another issue was to use the word "architect" or the words "in architecture." After Ms. Willis left the group stayed for another 30 minutes to select a name for the organization. Of the seven proposals the "Organization of Women Architects" received the majority of votes, and was adopted as the official name. |
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