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Newsletter | Jan/Feb 1974


Volume 2:1
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If you would like to see corrections to this newsletter or to submit articles or suggestions for future newsletters please contact the Newsletter Editor.

In this issue:
JANUARY - Illana Rosenfeld (Mui Ho Publisher)
December Meeting record - CJC (CJ Crump?)
Employment - Illana Rosenfeld/Bobbie Sue Hood
West Coast Women's Design Conference - University of Oregon April 18-21
FEBRUARY - Rosie Muller (Cathy Simon Publisher)
Agenda: OWA meeting Monday, February 25, 1974 - Bobbie Sue Hood to chair this meeting
January minutes - Marian Haviland
Structural Seminars - AIA of East Bay
OWA Library - Wendy Bertrand
Dues are Due - Pat Noda
Jobs - Lucia Bogatay

JANUARY

by Illana Rosenfeld (Mui Ho Publisher)    |    Share #718


Meeting location map January 21, 1974

by Ruth Kleinman    |    Share #712

1950 Franklin, Street, near corner of Washington in San Franscisco

Steering Committee

 Share #715

PUBLICITY
Bobble Sue Hood 771-7770
Ann King. 771-2681

EDUCATION
Mary Laleyan 392-3398
Susan Henke, 398-5191

EMPLOYMENT
Lucia Bogatay 863-8253
Ilana Rosenfeld, 548-4124

MONEY
Rosie Muller 549-1940
Wendy Bertrand, 526-5397

INFORMATION
Mui Ho 541-4438
Cathy Simon. 626-2641

(ARCHIVIST for Newsletter from original to Web
Wendy Bertrand March 2012)

Agenda

 Share #713

6:30 Social Hour
7:00 Slides on Solari by Lucy Lichtblau
7:30 DUES + Membership with Rosie Muller
8:00 Nomination of Sterring Committee

OWA HAS A NEW POSTAL ADDRESS BOX 26570, San Francisco, 94126

December Meeting record

by CJC (CJ Crump?)    |    Share #714

The meeting topics included:
* report by a visitor from Women in Technical Trades and Professions.
* discussion and passage in principle of elec-by-laws
(pending approval of precise wording only)
* slide show by Vera Jansone of Swedish shopping centers and
Russian, Ukrainian and Latvian churches

*Rivka Sigal, representing Women in Technical Trades and Profestions, described the thesis behind.her orgahization: that technicians control industry and women should bring their.perspective to technical fields. Activities of Sigal's group include switchboard/contact for job seekers I lobbying and consultation with legislators and information exchange She suggested and the meeting approved forming a joint library with OWA.

Another organization that Sigal invited.our interest in was the National Women's Political Caucus Important elections will be held.in January with Sigal running for the NWPC board. Her interests also include involvement with affirmative action suits. She would be a good resource person for anyone considering such action.

Suggested by-law items-which were discussed included:
*nominating at one meeting and voting at the following meeting,
*allowing absent members to vote, either by proxie or by absentee ballot,
*nominating by a selected committee rather than in an open meeting,
*conducting the elections by mail,
*considering alternates as full members of the steering committee
(with overlapping terms),
*electing student members of the steering committee from within OWA,
rather than by student group(s),
*considerring 5, 6, 7, or 8 as a steering committee quorum.

A major cocern behind these more specific issues was the desire on one hand to maintain an organization with minimal formality and minimal time devoted to internal business meetings and on the other hand to provide thoroughly fair election procedures that will work as the organization expands beyond its current size of 70 to 50 active members. Discussion continued until approximately three quarters of the members present approved each Item for substance. The election by-laws as passed have been reworded for clarity and are included In this newsletter They will be first used at the January meeting for election of new members to the steering committee. Interested members were asked to volunteer for steerring committee positions.

Susan Henke invited an informal evaluation of the year's accomplishments. This discussion was deferred.

Mary Laleyan suggested that we participate in the local AIA competition for, high school students by providing an award for the school that encourages the most girls to enter. The group voted to allocate $25 or less for an architectural journal subscription as a prize.

The business meeting adjourned and we enjoyed a slide show by Vera Jansone. Two highlights of the show were a delightful, Italianate college for women from czarist times and a modern concert hall by a Soviet, woman architect. Recent slides of Stockholm indicated that manhattanization is not a problem of San Francisco alone. Many slides showing both Swedish and Latvian modern apartment blocks provided an interesting contrast. Very similar concrete structural systems appeared to have been used. As both countries have severe climates, compact shapes with minimum fenestration were the rule. The meeting was held at Corinne Moor Spingarn's house in Oakland. An excellent hot meal was available before the meeting thanks to Corinne.


More about the Steering Committee

by Lucia Bogatay    |    Share #716

"The Steering Committee" is familiar to most of our members, but since there is an election this month, we felt this was a good time to expain how it came about, and the reasons for its peculiar design.
Last Spring, before elections were held, there was a meeting of people interested in the development of OWA's government. Like me, they were mostly people with a distrust of "Executive Committees" as they are conventionally formed, and we felt that in order to keep our interest in the OWA we might try to design a system that we would be able to enjoy.

We knew, first of all that we needed some kind of organization because of the experiences of Boston's Womens group as related to us by Dolores Hayden. Her warnings to us last winter made some of the members argue for a leadership as broadly based as possible to make sure it represented a consensus of the membership. Others felt that the officers should be of a specific rather than a ceremonial character, i.e., not "President" or "Sargent-at-Arms."

So the Steering Committee was created with five equal members and five alternates. The five original tasks were Treasurer, Education Coordinator, Publicity Coordinator, Employment Coordinator, and Publisher. Members were duly elected and meetings began. We soon discovered the advantages of having the alternates function as regular members. Finally we added two student members and wrote up the BY-Laws in the form approved in December.

The Committee functions very well and so far the original goals have become fact as explained below:
1. Administrative duties are shared in rotation among the Steering Committee members, who occasionally deligate things to others from the general membership_ Each Committee member acts as chairman and organizer of one general meeting, arranges for food. Each member generally offers her house for one of the meetings. Each member is editor of the Newsletter for one month. Each member volunteers (hopefully) to take notes at a meeting.
2. There are always plenty of ideas and all sides of any question are aired, much as at general OWA meetings. Decisions are made after discussion by concensus.
3. Each Committee member has a special ongoing project in addition to shared administration. Some of these Jobs will probably expand into task forces as OWA gets older. New projects will arise, such as our Calendar and the Board Membership in ESCMT.
4. No one is really overworked, though many work very hard and each project is potentially time consuming and we all feel that more could be accomplished. A great deal of help has come from OWA members and our group depends members contributions to the Newletter. As more members become ex-members of the Steering Committee, they will surly continue to be helpful.

This design can accommodate a large membership. As of this moment the Committee constitutes about one third of the membership. Thus a high proportion of OWA members are involved which should continue to keep OWA alive and growing.

This is the second rough draft of the Bylaws of the OWA :


Employment

by Illana Rosenfeld/Bobbie Sue Hood    |    Share #717

Two new job openings per Christie Coffin
1. Oakland model Cities 839-2000
1531 Jeffers6n Street
Oakland, Calkfornia

Paul Wang is looking for a designer or planner with 2 years or more experience for a 6 month job, good salary of $1,200 per month.

2. Stone Marraccini & Patterson 455 Beach Street San,Francisco, California

Maybe looking for someone for their Research and Programing department. They have been hiring? but their employment person is away until the fifteenth.

Meanwhile, Illana Rosenfeld is swinging into action. She and Bobbie Sue Hood are composing a letter to be sent to all sizable Bay Area architects announcing our job service and emphasizing its usefulness especially for their affirmative action needs. As she is also looking for work, she has some time and the motivation to undertake this splendid project. Now, perhaps, we will get some mail for our new Post Office Box.

List of Members

 Share #719

Mehrnoush Afsari
389 Vernon St. #108
Oakland, Ca. 94610
836-3505

Wendy Bertrand
6462 Hillegass St.
Oakland Ca. 94618

Janis Birkeland
2901 Claremont #6
Berkeley, Ca. 94705
849-0288

Lucia Bogatay
21 Saturn St.
S.F. Ca. 94114
863-8253

Yung-Ling Chen
1830 Arch St.
Berkeley, Ca.
Teresita Yerra

Christie Coffin
7100 Buckingham Blvd.
Berkeley, Ca. 94705
526-2013

Janet Crane
P.O.Box 26196
S. F. , Ca. 94126
986-8337

Anne Diaz
139 20th Ave.
S. F. Ca. 94121
387-6923

Zoe Henderson
Murie Sweetman I.
77 Beale St.
P,G. & E R. 20SOC
S.F. Ca. 94106

Susan Henke
1614 Walnut St.
Berkeley, Ca. 94709
848-5560

Mui Ho
1605 Arch St.
Berkeley, Ca. 94709
841-4458

Bobbie-Sue Hood
1079 Broadway
S. F. Ca. 94133
771-7770

Ann King
2037 Hyde St.
S.F. Ca. 94109
771-2681

Isabel King
126 Pfeiffer St.
S. F. Ca. 94133
848-0331

Ruth Kleinman
1950 Franklin St. #2
S. F. Ca, 94109
9i8-1537

Mary Laleyan
726 Bush St
S.F. Ca. 94108
392-5398

Roslyn Lindheim
103 El Camino.Real
Berkeley, Ca. 94705

Dolores J. Malloy
5925 Keith Ave.
Oakland, Ca. 94618

Lia Margulies -
3025 Steiner St. #14,
S.F. Ca. 94123
567-2500

Rosie Muller
2831 Garber St.
Berkeley, Ca. 94-705
849-1040

Pat Noda
350 Sharan,Park Rd. #C-6
Menlo Park. Ca. 940Z5

Ann O'Neill
5850 Birch Court
Oakland, Ca. 94618
6S3-4618

Ilana Rosenfeld
226 Channing Way
Berkeley, C. 94704
548-4124

Becky Salomon
438 El Cerrito Ave.
Piedmont, Ca. 94611
6S4-8895

Pat Schilling
1681 Arrowhead.
Oakland, Ca. 94611
527-3074

Sandy Schopman
1457 Jones St.
S. F. Ca. 94109
474-4977

Cathy Simon
17 Beaver St.
S.F. Ca. 94114
626-1641

Corinne Moor Spingarn
5200 Lawton Ave.
Oakland, Ca. 94613
653-4403

Susan Swabacker
324 Sunset Parkway
Novato, Ca. 94947
892-9504

Emily Tomaskovic
2703 Jones St.
Berkeley, Ca. 9470S
843-9468

Danica Truchlikova
1234 Jones St.
S.F. Ca. 94109
441-3547

Gail Wong
2832 Oxford Ave.
Richmond, Ca. 94806
222-3749

Margaret Woodring
226 Magmolia Ave
San Rafaell, Ca. 94901
457 - 1345

Barbara Woodward
1866 Thousand Oaks
Berkeley, Ca.




Mailing list beyond members

 Share #720

Olive Chadeayne
Polly Cooper
Eliz Danel
Jane,Duncombe
Pam Fabry
Fani Hansen
Sara Ishikawa
Darlene Jang
Vera Jansone
Mary Limosner
Marfha Pearson
Sylvia Reay
Beverly Willis
Edith Winter
Ruth Schnapp
Melanie Schaaf
Shelia Cronan (Lawyer)
Sheila Chong
Ruth Friedlander
Kathleen Vandene
Patricia Schiffelbeinbia
Topher Delaney
Lucy Lichtblau
Lin Dillingham
Women's Legal Center, Berkeley
Helen Demichiel
Pat Grier

January & February OWA Calendar

 Share #721


13 SUNDAY
3pm JOHN MUIR'S HIGH SIERRA, lecture by Dewitt Jones. U.C. Berkeley, Wheeler Auditorium

14 MONDAY (SECORD MONDAY OF THE MONTH)
7:30pm ORGANIZATION OF ARCHITECTURAL & ENGINEERING EMPLOYEES meeting. First Unitarian Church, Franklin & Geary, S.F. CALL (415) 397-7235

14-15 MONDAY-TUESDAY
"HOW THE ARCHITECT & ENGINEER CAN PROFIT AS A BUILDER-DEVELOPER,"a conference presented by Management Concepts International, Inc. Held at -Hyatt Rengency Hotel San Francisco. Fee $340. CALL TOLL FREE 800-223-5681

15 TUESDAY (SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH)
7pm NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN (NOW) meeting. First Unitarian Church. Franklin & Geary, S.F. CALL 398-6312

16 WEDNESDAY (SECOND WEDNESDAY OF MONTH)
7:45pm BAY AREA WOMEN'S PLANNERS meeting

19 SATURDAY
SAN FRANCISCO BALLET WINTER/SPRING SEASON will run through Mid-May and offer 26 ballets. Single performance tickets from $3.95 to $6.95. Subscription. Series tickets, CALL (415)-956-6740

20 SUNDAY
2:30pm ANDRES SEGOVIA, Classical Spanish guitarist. Masonic Auditorium. S.F. Tickets $5.50,$6.50,$7.50,$8.50(415) 495-0410.

21 MONDAY (THIRD MONDAY OF THE MONTH)
6:30pm ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN ARCHITECTS meeting. See elsewhere in this newsletter for place

25-26 FRIDAY-SATURDAY
9.30am "PLANNING FOR THE PAST," a conference on historical preservation sponsored by the University Extension Center, 55 Laguna,Street,San Francisco. Lectures $50, Workshops $50; both $100. Box lunch ,included. CALL Carol Thompson or Judy Diehl at 861-6833.

31 THURSDAY
8pm THE MOODY BLUES at the Oakland Coliseam. Tickets $5, $6, & $7.
CALL 635-7800 (in Oakland) or 775-2021 (in San Francisco)

FEBRUARY TOO11 MONDAY
6pm & 10om BOB DYLAN/THE BAND at the Oakland Coliseum. Both concerts have been sold out.

West Coast Women's Design Conference

by University of Oregon April 18-21    |    Share #722


Two Book Reviews

 Share #723

Changing Hospital Environments for Children by Roslyn Lindheim, Helen H. Glaser, and Christy Coffin. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 1972. Reviewed by Bobbie Sue Hood

Berkeley, like many other architectural schools, underwent a crisis of committment during the midsixties. Many old goals were discarded and many new ones emerged. This mini -revolution -brought about substantive curriculum changes including the introduction of non-traditional study areas -(some what like departments), one of which delt with the social and behavioral aspects of design.

The traditional practice of architecture has had time to retrench in the insuing years. as illustrated by this, quote from a recent slick magazine.
"Architecture may no longer be an art, but our attempt to replace it with science in the form of behavioral principles or systems technology is merely leading us further from a response to the human experience. " (SLR, Progressive, Architecture, Nov 1973, p-85.)

Fortunately, the behaviorists in fact, the humanists, as they could aptly be called have also had ,time 'to produce evidence of the validity of their approach. Changing Hospital Environments for Children is an example written In part by two members of Berkeley school. (Roslyn Lindhelin continues to teach there and Is one of the two women professors in the Department of Architecture. Christie Coffin contributed to the development of the new curriculum as a student and now teaches, there as well as:.working for Stone Marracini and Patterson architects in San Francisco. The third author, Helen Glaser is a pediatrician now specializing in psychiatry.)

The book is the result of an exhaustive Inquiry In to hospital environments for children developed during the programming research, and design of a new Children's Hospital at Stanford in Palo Alto.

It reflects what might be considered the prime emphases of the social and behavioral movement.

-consideration of the users of a.building rather than the traditional client (here, this means designing primarily for the patients randonly secondarily for doctors, nurses, and administrators.)

-planning for a variety of user options (e.g.. providing space for parents to stay in the room with their children or to stay nearby; planning for parents to care for their childen instead-of nurses, but-not insisting on this alternative.)

-an awareness of and efforts to design-for different age groups, economic classes, cultures, etc. (e.g., adolescents need Privacy while infants require frequent handling and love)

-regard for differing points of view (e.g.,recognition of the diffemence between a nurse's view of clutter in a room and an adolescent's need to individualize his surroundings, and suggesting a way for both to coexist)

-format to allow data to be understood and applied by the designers of other hospitals (clearly stated issues, their context, and their solutions, accompanied by examples and photographs to explain)

-an overriding concern for the human element in buildings (Most architectural reviews traditionally eliminate people and their flotsam from photographs and analysis. People are the most important elements in the photos of the Berkeley and other behavioralists.)

-the desire to disseminate sources and solutions to improve architecture rather than the attempt to obscure them in order to head off competition from other architects (e.g.. # extensive bibliography by subject. evaluation of other relevant hospital plans. Those doubting this premise should try to recall the last time they found any information directly useful -in an American architectural magazine, such as the hardware for saving energy rather than beautiful photos of an energy-saving project.)

The only element which is perhaps lacking in the book and one which author Coffin is currently pursuing is the determination of whether or not such information can and will be used by other designers. The problem lies not only in the threat which "rationalized" design, has to the mystiques of many conventional designers, but also in the simple fact that few designers are literate. Perhaps some medium besides .the written-word will eventually be required if behavioral and social factors are to be significant in design.

In the interim, those convinced of the 'validity of behavioral analysis will find in Changing Hospital Environments reassurance of their precepts. Those unfamiliar with or unconvinced of the philosophy will find a' good, introduction to its principles. And, those designing hospitals should buy a copy immediately.
______________________________________________________

WOMAN'S PLACE: Options and Limits in Professional Careers by Cynthia Fuchs Epstein, University of California Press, Berkeley, Los Angeles and London: 1970. (Available in paperback)
Reviewed by CJ Crump

This short sociological work deserves a close reading by professional women. The central thesis of the book is that the array of statuses, (roles) that are held by a woman who is also a professional, is likely to make conflicting and ambiguous demands on her, Epstein demonstrates that this conflict is typically greater for a woman than for a white man in a profession. Although Epstein's own investigations have centered an the legal profession, this book is a rich compendium of recent work in many professions.

Examples from architecture are missing There are few studies: those that I am aware of postdate Epstein's book. Nevertheless, the social patterns she identifies seem generally applicable to architecture. For example , chapter 5, "Inside Professional Life: Interaction, Performance, and Impediments," discusses such social mechanisms for advancement in professions as the protege system, men's club-like informal information networks, and women's reticence in.making themselves any more visible than they already are in male domiamted professions,

The protege system, which is frequently relevant in architecture and at least as common in university teaching, does not easily admit women. Epstein points out that although most men feel comfortable with female assistants few are comfortable with the thought of training women as successors. A whIte male professional will tend to think of his successor as being similar to himself.

An interesting feature of her book is the identification of contexts which minimize the negative effects of female status. In general these contexts axe either in well defined fields or subfields or new situations with little definition. In highly defined contexts where tasks and performance are valued, sex status is less relevant. In new fields such as commuter programming, no sex typing exists to complicate a woman's efforts to perform.

Equally important to success can be an individual woman's reaction to sexism in the work place. A woman who is not highly self-conscious and over-reactive can focusattention on the task rather than her sex status.

And in many situations, goverment work is given as an example, demonstrable ability is an important criterion for advancement. Where impartial examination leads to advancement, one will find more women and racial minority members in responsible positions.

In an earlier chapter Epstein identifies social structures that help women succeed. Basically sharing statues with the people we work and live with tends to lead to greater success. Thus, women whose ethnic, class, educational and economic statuses are typical of their professional coworkers are more likely to succeed; as are women who share a large number of statuses with clients. Sharing a profession with a husband and many close friends can also eliminate role conflict and reinforce successful behavior patterns

Unfortunately Epstein fails to capture the dynamics of the work experience for professional women She describes existing social patterns, usually with convincing and interesting examples. She only briefly examines the mechanisms by which social structures change and only superficially questions the nature of the value systems applied to professional success. In many fields the lack of women in responsible positions can be seen as a tribute to women's refusal to participate in questionable institutional activities. In most fields women can be instrumental in creating alternative role models ways in which professionals can be more.. responsive to community needs and each others needs. The dynamics of such change should be central to a discussion of the options and limits of women's professional careers.

FEBRUARY

by Rosie Muller (Cathy Simon Publisher)    |    Share #725


Agenda: OWA meeting Monday, February 25, 1974

by Bobbie Sue Hood to chair this meeting    |    Share #726

6:00 pm
Informal gathering with buffet supper featuring authentic Israeli specialties $1.00 for food .$ .50 for wine
7:00 pm
Deadline for votes for now steering committee. If you did not vote at the last meeting, use the ballot In this newsletter. Mail your ballot to Rosle Muller, 2831 Garber Street, Berkeley 94705, or bring It to this meeting before 7 pm.
7:25 pm
Announcoment of now steering committee members and passing of the baton, so to speak
7:30 pm
Panel discussion by three Say Area attorneys who have speclafized in ending discrimination: "Equality Under the Law: What Woman Can Do Now to Achieve Equal Pay and Equal Opportunity for Both Employment and Advancement"

Panelists Include.

Ana Fagan Finger, an attorney practicing In Berkeley who is adjunct professor at Hastings Law School In San Francisco. She also teaches a course In sex discrimination and the law at the University of Santa Clara Law School. She Is Chairperson of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Berkeley and president of Melcle John Civil Liberties Institute. She has written several books, Including The Relevant Lawyers.

Camille LeGrand, an attorney practicing In Berkeley. As a student at Bolt Law School at the University of California, she worked In the Women's Legal Center. She Is a recent graduate who Is now teachIng at Bolt. She continues to be very active In the women's movement.

Owen P. O'Donnell, an attorney practicing In San Franciso as a partner In the firm of Meis, O'Donnell and Holsman. He graduated from Yale University and the Stanford Law School. He Is interested in fightIng discrimination in housing, employment, and whereever else It may occur. Recently, he was elected Chairperson of the Non-Victim Crime Committee In San Francisco.

We are looking forward to a stimulating discussion of a subject we have talked about many times 16 the OWA. We welcome the opportunity for expert explanation and opinion.

January minutes

by Marian Haviland    |    Share #727

Our January meeting was quite a success lots of new faces and ideas and interests!

We began with fabulous sandwiches provided by our hostess, Ruth Kleinman, made even tastier by several gallons of wine. We were then entertained (and even educated) by an exciting slide show on Soleri's ARCOSANTI, presented by Lucy Lichtblau. Generally speaking, this prelude to the business part of the meeting served to be quite educational and gave us a chance to got acquainted.

Following this, we got into the business of the meeting. Rosie Muller gave us a breakdown of the budget for the past 8 months and a proposed budget for the next year [see report in this newsletter]. Total income for 1973 was 01,058.00.
We discussed due& and voted that regular dues would be $30 per year and student memberships would be $5.00.. A sponsored membership was proposed, at no cost to the selected member, although what determined the selection was rather vague.

Next came the subject of the Steering Committee and the election of new members to offices. The Steering Committee, composed of 5 regular members and 5 assistants, required the selection of 8 new members. (Two assistant members from the previous Steering Committee, Ilana Rosenfeld and Wendy Bertrand, will serve as regular steering committee members until the next election to give some overlap and continuity.) Categories were Publicity, Education, Employment, Money, and Information. Taking the new faces into consideration, rather than excluding us from possible nominations, we all introduced ourselves and made comments about what we were doing, to g1ve an idea of who could be doing what for OWA. And the nominations were made; ballot counting to-be done at the next meeting. See you there!

Licensing Exams info

 Share #728

DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER
The deadline for registering for the June 1974 architectural licensing examinations is March 1. For an application form. write:
Board of Architectural Examiners
1021 "0' Street
Sacramento. California 95814
Telephone; (916) 445-3393

Structural Seminars

by AIA of East Bay    |    Share #729

The East Bay chapter of the AIA will be sponsoring a series of seminars on structural design beginning Feb. 20. The seminars will meet every Wednesday for 15 weeks from 7:30 to 9:3O in room 22 Warren Hall on the Berkeley campus. Cost for the series is $15:00.

OWA Library

by Wendy Bertrand    |    Share #730

Study materials for the licensing exams are available in the OWA library, which is currently being cared for by Wendy Bertrand, 6462 Hillegass, Oakland. Anyone wishing to donate materials to our library should bring them to our next meeting or give them directly to Wendy. Any thing of general interest to OWA members will be appreciated.

Steering Committee

 Share #731

PUBLICITY
Bobble Sue Hood 771-7770
Ann King. 771-2681

EDUCATION
Mary Laleyan 392-3398
Susan Henke, 398-5191

EMPLOYMENT
Lucia Bogatay 863-8253
Ilana Rosenfeld, 548-4124

MONEY
Rosie Muller 549-1940
Wendy Bertrand, 526-5397

INFORMATION
Mui Ho 541-4438
Cathy Simon. 626-2641

(ARCHIVIST for Newsletter from original to Web
Wendy Bertrand March 2012)

Dues are Due

by Pat Noda    |    Share #732

Dues for 1974 have been approved by the
O.W.A. membership and are now due as follows:

Regular members $30.00 per year
(may be paid in one payment or in
two $15.00 installments or on any
other schedule arranged individually
with Pat Noda)
Students ' $5.00 per year

Checks should be mailed to Pat Noda,350 Sharan Park Rd. C-6, Menlo Park, Calif. 94025.

There will also be a free sponsored membership category, although details have not yet been worked out. Anyone wishing to suggest a
sponsored member or to become one herself should apply to the new steering committee.

Financial Report $$$$$$$

 Share #733


Where Do We Go From Here?????????

by Lucia Bogatay    |    Share #734

The OWA has just finished Its first year, and many of us have found the meetings and contacts valuable experfences. Simply getting to know other women In architecture has been a sufficient raison d'etre.

Now the question of more concrete objectives has arisen. Following Ilana Rosenfeld's suggestion that we contact representative architectural offices to let them know of our existence, the steering committee prepared the following letter.

Everyone thus far is enthusiastic about contacting the firms. However, the letter has raised a few issues which are controversial and which should be voted on by the organization as a whole.

If the OWA goes to the expense of writing, printing, addressing, and mailing letters to architectural offices, then It needs to make sure that the effort is worthwile both financially and productively. The OWA also needs to determine precisely what image it wishes to project in the letter.

If the letter is mailed to the top 200 to 300 firms In the Bay Area, then we estimate that it will cost perhaps $200 to S300. Potentially, the letter can be a tool for Affirmative Action and possibly even for suits to end discrimination In offices which have no women. This would come about through keeping a record of the number of women available for work in architecture In this area (statistics). and acting as an agency which firms can contact who are seeking.women employees.

The letter following assumes that these two goals are desirable. Your ccmments wlll be encouraged during the February 25 meeting.

Note the responsibilities that would occur as a result of sending the letter. The OWA would have to start keepIng an accurate account of women and their qualifications. This would require at least two dedicated volunteers to make and maintain good files.

The letter would also imply that the OWA was taking a more active and potentially even somewhat militant role-- than it has In the past to seek a better position for women In the field.

Are we willing to accept these responsibilities?

The panel of attorneys scheduled for the February 25 meetIng may help us to answer this question. In the interim, read over the letter and think about the resources which you are willing to commit, and what you want from the OWA.



Jobs

by Lucia Bogatay    |    Share #736

Now, after a year on the job, we are tooling up for a now approach to the Architects of the Bay area. The letter we have prepared for your approval should transform our operations. Rather than depending only on our members and friends to supply us with leads, we plan to train offices to let us know directly. Offices I have spoken to during my montly search Indicated that they would welcome our services. Several asked to be sent resumes. I have great hopes for this plan.

Ilana is working now, and her latest search for a job suggested a new strategy & read the Daily Pacific Builder to find out what offices have work, which stage a job has reached, and whether it required affirmative
action. Perhaps the OWA might even subscribe, and analyse it as part of our service to members looking for work.

The following genuine opening are mainly for planners

1. U.C. Santa Cruz 429-0111
Needs an architect and a planner. Two
jobs, for more information call UCSC

2. U.C. Berkeley planning office
Needs a planner. Talk t; Me Joan Cooke.

3 A future possibility
Robinson and Mills 989-2290
45 Ecker Street, S.F.
Just hired, may need more next month






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