I have resisted writing a post about notable architects who happen to be women for a long time. Partially because these lists can be found on other websites that are most likely better researched and organized, but mostly I’ve held off because I’d like to think that a good architect is not defined by gender or that being a good architect and a woman isn’t a singularly special occurrence. I can’t presume to understand the nuances that come along with being a female working in this profession – it’s not just about sitting in an office with co-workers who respect your abilities regardless of gender. It’s about all the other aspects of being a practicing architect where challenges present themselves. I can’t recall having ever worked with a female contractor – what would it be like on a job site? Would a female architect have to endure (or enjoy) the same relentless number of fishing and hunting stories that I hear (despite the fact that I don’t hunt or fish)? I don’t know but I assume the tenor of the typical job site conversation would be different – not more or less respectful, just different. It could be the little things like the type of shoes someone chooses to wear. Does that really matter? Probably not but I can bet you that the construction worker who has never noticed what shoes his wife is wearing would notice what is on the feet of a female architect visiting the site.