CEUs

Pending

Cost

$10 members of AIA, American Sign Museum, Cincinnati Preservation, or NOMA

$20 non-members

Full-time students receive discounted admission.

Location

American Sign Museum, IOKA Theater

Program Overview

Louise Blanchard Bethune, FAIA (1856 — 1913) was the first professional woman architect in the United States. She was also the first woman member of the AIA and its first woman Fellow. While she was a well-known national figure in architectural circles among her contemporaries, she has largely been forgotten outside her hometown of Buffalo, NY. 

Since 2005, University at Buffalo architect and scholar, Kelly Hayes McAlonie, has been researching Bethune’s life and career to answer one simple question — what were the factors that enabled this woman to break into the Gilded Age architectural boy’s club? Through meticulous research of the architectural field of the late 19th Century, women’s fight for emancipation during this era, and identifying new sources of Bethune’s life, Kelly has uncovered a history that provides insights into the world of the Gilded Age and the architectural profession today. This research culminated in the publication of her monograph, Louise Blanchard Bethune: Every Woman Her Own Architect, which was published in 2023 by SUNY Press.

Additionally, Kelly will discuss her role in the development of Barbie I Can Be Architect, the career doll of 2011, and describe how her work on Bethune and Barbie led to her fascination with professionalism, fashion, and the image of the architect. 

Presented by AIA Cincinnati’s Women in Architecture committee, American Sign Museum, Cincinnati Preservation, and Ohio Valley NOMA.

Speaker

Kelly Hayes McAlonie, FAIA, AUA, LEED AP is the Director of Campus Planning at the University at Buffalo. Her work involves overseeing the implementation of the university’s Comprehensive Master Plan and the strategic planning for UB’s three campus environments. Kelly has dedicated her career to educational architecture and educating the public. She is a member of the Association of University Architects. In 2011, Kelly and colleague Despina Stratigakos collaborated with Mattel on the design and launch of Barbie I Can Be…Architect. She has spent the past 20 years researching the life and career of Louise Blanchard Bethune, FAIA, the first professional woman architect. Kelly has written and presented widely on her and recently released her biography, Louise Blanchard Bethune, Every Woman Her Own Architect. She also serves on the Steering Committee for the Trailblazing Women of Western New York, an initiative of the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women to place monuments to women in our public realm.

Kelly has also been very active in the American Institute of Architects, serving as the 2008 President of AIA Buffalo/WNY, the 2012 President of AIANYS, and the 2016-2019 Regional Representative of the AIA National Strategic Council. She recently served a three-year term on the National Architectural Accrediting Board, as Treasurer. She also serves on the Steering Committee for the Trailblazing Women of Western New York, an initiative of the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women to place monuments to women in our public realm.

Schedule

5:00pm - Doors open, refreshments available

5:30-6:30pm -  Program and Q&A

6:30-7pm - Enjoy refreshments and book signing (copies will be available for purchase)

Learning Objectives

• Participants will learn the life story of Louise Blanchard Bethune, FAIA, the first professional woman architect in the United States, the first woman to be admitted to the AIA, and the first fellow.

• Participants will learn the history of the architectural profession of the mid-late 19th Century that enabled Bethune to become an architect who was welcomed by her peers.

• Participants will understand the challenges Bethune faced as a practitioner in a male-dominated field and how she addressed perceptions about women professionals during the Gilded Age.

• Participants will learn how Bethune’s challenges and successes mirror those of women in the architectural profession today.

Continuing Education Details

Course Number: G2025.c

Instructional Delivery Method: live

AIA CES Program Approval Expiration Date TBA

Prerequisites: none

Program Level: beginner

AIA CES Provider Statement

AIA Cincinnati is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 088. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).

This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.