Norma Merrick Sklarek

Norma Merrick Sklarek was an influential American architect and a trailblazer for women and people of color in the field of architecture. Born in 1926, she became the first Black woman to earn an architecture degree in the United States and later the first Black woman to become a licensed architect in California. Sklarek was notable for her design work on major projects, including the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles. Throughout her career, she advocated for diversity in architecture, mentoring young architects and inspiring future generations in the profession.