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More than a century ago, a determined Louise Blanchard Bethune (1856- 1913) of Buffalo, N.Y., set out to prove that she could design buildings as well as any man.
Before long, Bethune was doing baseball grandstands, factories and schools, and in 1888 became the first woman to be admitted to membership in the American Institute of Architects.
A traveling exhibit that opened Friday in Pacific Design Center marks that 100-year milestone and celebrates the progress of women in architecture.
"That Exceptional One: Women in Architecture-1888-1989," co-produced by the American Architectural Foundation with the cooperation of AIA's Women in Architecture Committee, will run through July 31 and then continue on its three-year nationwide tour of major cities.
Heading Local Task Force
Heading the local task force for the exhibit is Kate Diamond of Siegel, Diamond Architects in Los Angeles, who at 35, single and "passionately" devoted to her career, is typical of a generation of women in architecture who are no longer the exception in a traditionally male-dominated profession.
"Our 12-member task force has added a Southern California component to the exhibit that is like a snapshot view of where we are and where we've been, showing the progress of women architects not only through major accomplishments but also less publicized, smaller achievements.
"With some 80 Southern California projects representing the work of 40 women architects, we feel the exhibit adds substantially to our credibility both as professionals and as role models for young people aspiring to enter the...