Passing the New York state licensure examination on her first attempt in 1954, Norma Merrick Sklarek became the first Black woman to achieve this professional milestone. Throughout a career spanning over four decades, she navigated systemic barriers to influence the design and management of massive public works, including international embassies, busy airport terminals, and significant urban civic infrastructure projects.
Foundations and Academic Training
Born in Harlem in 1926 to parents from Trinidad, Sklarek developed early interests in carpentry and painting through her father. After attending Hunter College High School, she enrolled at Barnard College in 1944. She later transferred to Columbia University, earning a Bachelor of Architecture in 1950. As one of the few women in her cohort, she remained the only African American woman in her class.
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Following graduation, Sklarek faced rejection from 19 firms before finding work at the New York Department of Public Works. Her 1954 licensure prompted a position at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. By 1960, she relocated to Los Angeles to serve as the first female vice president at Gruen and Associates. In 1962, she secured her California architectural license, marking a second major state-level milestone.
Major Civic Projects and Firm Leadership
During her tenure at Gruen and Associates, Sklarek managed major projects such as the Pacific Design Center, California Mart, and the United States Embassy in Tokyo. In 1980, she moved to Welton Becket Associates, directing the construction of the $50-million Terminal One at Los Angeles International Airport. Later, she co-founded Siegel Sklarek Diamond, the largest woman-owned firm of its era, before joining Jon Jerde Partnership as a principal.
Legacy and Professional Recognition
Sklarek earned numerous accolades, including the 2008 AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Award. She served on the California Architects Board and led the American Institute of Architects National Ethics Council after her retirement in 1992. Her career included membership in the AIA College of Fellows and an honorary role in the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, solidifying her status as a pioneer in the industry.
Fast facts
- Born: 15 April 1926, Harlem, New York
- Died: 6 February 2012, Pacific Palisades, California
- Education: Columbia University, Bachelor of Architecture
- First licensed Black woman in New York: 1954
- First licensed Black woman in California: 1962
- First Black woman in AIA College of Fellows: 1980
- Key projects: US Embassy in Tokyo, LAX Terminal One
- Final career role: Principal at Jon Jerde Partnership
Questions readers ask
Was Norma Merrick Sklarek the first Black woman to join the American Institute of Architects?
Yes, she became the first Black woman to be a member of the American Institute of Architects in 1959.
What significant airport project did Sklarek lead?
She served as project director for the $50-million Terminal One station at the Los Angeles International Airport, completed in 1984.
Achievements
- Trained at Columbia University and Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
