Iowa Women in Architecture Exhibit

a collection showcasing contributions that women have made to the profession

This digital collection highlights women from the state of Iowa who have held, or currently hold, leadership roles in the American Institute of Architects and Iowa Women in Architecture, AIA Award Recipients, first female faculty at state architecture schools, first 10 women to receive licensure in the state of Iowa, women with particular areas of expertise (such as: historic preservation and urban design), women who are sole proprietors of architecture and design firms, and women who have made significant contributions to the architecture profession in the state of Iowa.

Help us stay current! Send important milestone updates to info@iawomenarch.org

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Share your stories with us

email info@iawomenarch.org

Kate thuesen

AIA Young Architects Award

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— 2023

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Alyanna subanyo, Associate aia

AIA Iowa State Associate Representative to the Central States Region

Brittney Ruba, AIA

AIA Iowa North West Section Vice President

Elyse Garlock, AIA

AIA Iowa South East Section Vice President

Gladys Peterson, Associate AIA

AIA Iowa Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee Co-Chair

Kari Boyens

Chair, Iowa Women in Architecture

Kate Thuesen, AIA, LEED AP

National Director of Strategic Vision for the Young Architects Forum
Selected as an Advisory Committee Member overseeing YAF; she is the first woman to hold this role.

Kerry Weig, AIA

AIA Iowa Board Second Vice President

Linda Alfson Schemmel, AIA

Elected 1st AIA Iowa Strategic Counselor

Lisa Kalaher, AIA

AIA Iowa Second Vice President

Lyndley Kent, AIA

AIA Iowa Young Architect Award Winner

Lyndley Kent, AIA

AIA Iowa State Young Architect Representative to the Central States Region
Term: 2021-2022

Monica Bailey, AIA

AIA Iowa South East Section President”
— 2021
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Holly Ernst

Chair, Iowa Women in Architecture

Jamie Craine

Served as AIA Iowa’s State Associate Representative to the Central States Region Emerging Professionals Committee

Kate Thuesen

Re-elected as AIA Young Architects Regional Director, Central States Region

Laura Kessel

40 Under 40 Recognition, Des Moines Business Record

Lynor Koch

AIA Iowa Honorary Member

Martha Norbeck

Elevated to LEED Fellow

Mindy Aust

Served as the AIA Regional Representative for AIA Central States

Shannon McGee

Co-Chair, AIA Iowa & Central States’ Fall Convention.

Tonia Householder

President, AIA Iowa”
— 2020
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Anna Harmon

Appointed by Governor Kim Reynolds to the Iowa Architectural Examining Board

Danielle Hermann

President, AIA Iowa

Eli Goll

Chair, Iowa Women in Architecture

Kristin Lewis

Promoted to Principal, OPN Architects

Mindy Aust

Established MA Architecture
Elected AIA Strategic Council Moderator; she was the first woman to serve in this role.
Elected to the AIA Strategic Council as Central State Regional Representative (2019-2021)

Shelby Doyle & Erin Hunt

Emerging Research Award, Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture

Tonia Householder

AIA Iowa Young Architect Award Recipient”
— 2019
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diversity recognition program honors IAWIA

The Diversity Recognition Program recognizes Iowa Women in Architecture as an organization that is actively committed to making the architecture profession a more diverse, inclusive and equitable profession.

Becky Hansel

Promoted to Principal at INVISION Architecture

Heidi Pollmann

Chair, Iowa Women in Architecture

Mindy Aust

Outstanding Young Alumni Award, Iowa State University Alumni Association

Teresa A. Petrzalek

AIA Iowa 25 Year Award”
— 2018
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Anna Squier

Founds Modern Studio
Anna was also elected as Editor for Iowa Architect Magazine

Danielle Hermann

AIA Young Architects Award Recipient

Mindy Aust

Promoted to Principal/Owner at Substance Architecture

Naura Godar

Chair, Iowa Women in Architecture

Ulrike Passe

AIA Iowa Educator Award Recipient
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— 2017
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Christy Monk

Promoted to Associate Principal at FEH Design

Jessica Reinert

AIA CACE Vice President

Jessica Terrill

Elected as Editor, Iowa Architect Magazine

Kristina Mehmen, Kerry Weig & Kate Payne

Promoted to Principal at INVISION Architecture

Linda Alfson Schemmel

Chair, Iowa Women in Architecture

Mindy Aust

3rd Female to be elected President of the AIA Iowa Chapter
AIA Young Architects Award Recipient

Narua Godar & Michelle Sacco

Promoted to Partner at RDG Planning & Design”
— 2016
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Ann Sobiech Munson

AIA Young Architect Award


Anna Squier

Inaugural AIA Central States Emerging Professionals Leadership Scholarship Recipient

Danielle Hermann

Promoted to Associate Principal, OPN Architects

Jane Frudden Templeman Larson

AIA Iowa 25 Year Award

Jessica Terrill

Inaugural Recipient of the AIA Young Architects Award

Judith A. McClure

AIA Iowa 35 Year Award

Laura Kessel

Chair, Iowa Women in Architecture”
— 2015

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IAWIA Best Practice Recommendations

AIA iaWia publishes Best Practice Recommendations for the Design Profession. 31 individuals from 16 firms participated in the development, research, and writing of the BPR. The document contains action oriented recommendations for implementing sustainable practices and policies in the workplace to further sustain the future of the architecture profession.


Anna Squier

Chair, Iowa Women in Architecture

Jessica Reinert

AIA Iowa Honorary Member
Recipient of the Inaugural AIA Emerging Executive Award


Julie Severson

AIA Iowa Honorary Member”
— 2014
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Linda Alfson Schemmel

2nd Female to be elected President of the AIA Iowa Chapter

Deboarh Hauptmann

1st Female Chair, Department of Architecture, Iowa State University

Jenna Thompson

Chair, Iowa Women in Architecture

IAWIA Founders


LaDan Omidvar, Erin Olson-Douglas, Danielle Hermann, and Ann Sobiech Munson are named recipients of the Design Achievement Award by the College of Design at Iowa State University
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— 2013
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Katie Harms

AIA Young Architect Award Recipient

Rebecca Greco

1st and only female to receive the Christian Petersen Design Award, College of Design, Iowa State University

Erin Olson-Douglas

Chair, Iowa Women in Architecture

Anna Squier (Jones)

AIA Central States Region, Regional Associate Director & Launch of CSR Student Competition


Jessic Reinert

AIA Iowa Executive Director

Barbara Welander

Featured in a winning essay in the state of Iowa’s 28th Annual Write Women Back into History Contest”
— 2012
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Iowa Women in Architecture

IAWIA was founded as a non-profit organization by Ann Sobiech Munson, Erin Olson-Douglas, LaDan Omidvar, and Danielle Hermann

Founding Board of Directors

Chair; Ann Sobich Munson
Vice Chair; Erin Olson-Douglas
Director of Accounts; Kerry Weig
Director of Archives; Danielle Hermann
Communications Chair; Jenna Thompson
Education & Programs; LaDan Omidvar
AIA Iowa Liaison; Mindy Aust

Ann Sobiech Munson

First Chair of Iowa Women in Architecture

Jill Maltby-Abbott & Holly Ernst

Co-Chairs, iaWia Student Group, Iowa State University”
— 2011

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Lisa Kalaher

Establishes PLaN architecture”
— 2010

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Judith A. McClure

A Preservation Award named for Judith A. McClure

Qun Dang

Design Achievement Award Recipient, College of Design, Iowa State University

Kate Schwennsen

AIA Iowa Educator Award Recipient”
— 2009
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Katie Harms

Regioonal Associate Director of the AIA Central States Region. She founded the CSR Emerging Professionals Committee and established the CSR Emerging Professionals Summit. ”
— 2008
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Martha Norbeck

Founds C-Wise Design and Consulting Services”
— 2007
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Kate Schwennsen

Kate served as the AIA National President in 2005-06. She was the 2nd woman in 149 years to hold this role.
Honorary Member: Royal Institute of Australian Architects; Royal Architectural Institute of Canada; Federacion de Arquitectos de la Republica Mexicana
Honorary Fellow: Korean Institute of Architects
Design Achievement Award, Iowa State University

Nancy Heather

AIA Iowa Honorary Member ”
— 2005

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Michelle Kaufmann

Design Achievement Award Recipient, College of Design, Iowa State University

Teri Petrzalek

Shanna Duggan

Teri and Shanna found Morning Star Studio ”
— 2004
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Kate Schwennsen

Named Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Iowa State University.
Kate was also awarded the AIA Medal of Honor Award in 2003. To date, she was both the first female and the youngest recipient of the award.

Clare Cardinal Pett

Recipient of the AIA Iowa Educator Award”
— 2003
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Kate Schwennsen

Kate became the first and only woman in Iowa to achieve Fellowship

Barbara Schmidt

AIA Iowa Honorary Member

Rebecca Greco

Rebecca became the 1st female Alumna to receive the Design Achievement Award from the College of Design at Iowa State University ”
— 2002

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Kate Schwennsen

Kate was elected to AIA Regional Director. To date, she is the only Iowa female to hold this position.”
— 1999
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Marjorie Brown

Marjorie was elevated to Partner at RDG Planning & Design (1997-2001)

Barbara Schmidt

1st Female Recipient of the AIA Iowa Educator Award

Suzanne Schwengels

Named AIA CACE President

Kate Schwennsen

1st Female Chapter President of AIA Iowa ”
— 1997
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Suzanne Schwengels

Named AIA Iowa & AIA National Honorary Member”
— 1996
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Kerry Dixon

Kerry joined Facilities, Planning, and Management at Iowa State University as Project Coordinator. She later advanced to Capital Project Manager in 2002, and adds Coordinator of Sustainable Design and Construction to her roles. She continues to lead efforts for LEED-certified projects as well as significant renovations of campus landmark buildings.”
— 1995

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Paulette Singley

Hired to join the architecture faculty at Iowa State University”
— 1994
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Catherine Ingraham

Hired to join the architecture faculty at Iowa State University”
— 1993
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Marcy Schulte

Karen Bermann

Juliana Preston

Hired to join the architecture faculty at Iowa State University ”
— 1992
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Jennifer Bloomer

Hired to join the architecture faculty at Iowa State University. She was the first woman to reach rank of Professor in the Department of Architecture.

Lynn Paxson

Hired to join the architecture faculty at Iowa State University ”
— 1991
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Kate Schwennsen

Hired to join the architecture faculty at Iowa State University

Jane Frudden Templemann Larson

Jane became the first female elected President at AIA Kansas City.

Cheryl Lynn Peterson

Cheryl earned her Iowa Architecture License. ”
— 1990

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Susan L. Light

Rebecca S. Meloni

Janice E. Sweet

Janet Selser Merk

Four women earned their Iowa Architecture License in 1989. At this time, it was a record number of women to become licensed in a single year. ”
— 1989
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Beverly Robalino

Joins Planning, Design and Construction Facilities Management at University of Iowa where she became a Senior Design Project Manager”
— 1988
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Janice E. Sweet

Founds Sweet & Associates ”
— 1988
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Kate Schwennsen

Kate earned her Iowa Architecture License ”
— 1987
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Suzanne Schwengels

Suzanne became the 2nd Executive Director of AIA Iowa

Jamie Horwitz

Associate Professor of Architecture at Iowa State University”
— 1986
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Clare Cardinal-Pett

Clare became an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Architecture at Iowa State University

Martha Green

Martha earned her Iowa Architecture License and became a full member of AIA Iowa

Patricia Zingsheim

Patricia joined the City of Des Moines’ Planning Division. Her key initiatives included: Architectural Guidelines (1984), Developer’s Guide to Downtown Housing (1986), Civic Center Historic District Preservation Plan (1986-87), Downtown Riverfront Master Plan - The River Book (1987-91), Des Moines Vision Plan (1988-92), and Hillside Neighborhood Design Manual (1992-94).”
— 1983
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Jane Frudden Templeman Larson

Jane earned her Iowa Architecture License”
— 1982
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Beverly Robalino

Beverly earned her Iowa Architecture License

Nedret T. Butler

Assistant Professor of Architecture at Iowa State University”
— 1981
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Claudia Cackler

First female Executive Director of AIA Iowa

Judith A. McClure

Judith earned her Iowa Architecture License

Mary Kihl

Mary became Assistant Dean of the College of Design at Iowa State University”
— 1980

“Iowa State University’s Architecture Department became part of the New College of Design.

Judith A. McClure

Gizana Sari Kassay

Marcia Caudill Rafdal

Janice Sweet

Associate Members of AIA Iowa.”
— 1978
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Carole P. Tiernan

Carole became Assistant Professor of Architecture at Iowa State University

Ann Youngreen Sullivan

Ann was recognized with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from Iowa State University

Mary Joyce Veverka

Mary became an Adjunct Instructor / Advisor in Architecture at Iowa State University”
— 1977
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Barbara Taylor Welander

Barbara earned her Iowa Architecture License and became the first woman to be a full architect member of the AIA. She was subsequently named one of ten Outstanding Young Women in America.

Linda Pounds Olsen Arnold

Linda earned her Iowa Architecture License”
— 1975
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Sasithorn Sarikabhuti Sirisalee

Sasithorn earned her Master of Architecture from Iowa State University.”
— 1973
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Pramod Lata V. Sarin

Pramod was the first female Associate Member of the AIA Iowa Chapter.”
— 1972
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Eloise James Zimmerman

Eloise became one of the earliest women to be granted full membership in Tau Beta Pi.”
— 1970

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Lynne Adair Paxton

Lynne earned her Iowa Architecture License.

Mardith Baenzinger

Mardith earnd her Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from Iowa State University.
She was a recipient of the Women’s Badge from the Iowa Alpha Chapter of Tau Beta Pie.”
— 1968
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Barbara Taylor Welander

Barbara earned her Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University.”
— 1967
“Iowa State University’s Program was re-named “Architecture”

Nipha Pharsuwan Kumar

Nipha earned her Master of Science in Architecture from Iowa State University.

Ann Youngreen Sullivan

Ann earned her Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University.”
— 1965
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Sofia Leonard

Sofia earned her Bachelor of Architecture and Planning Degree from Iowa State University.”
— 1963
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Iris Wirsell Stalder

Iris was the second woman to earn her Iowa Architecture License.”
— 1960

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Mary Kirchner

Mary earned her Bachelor of Science in Architectural and Architectural Engineering from Iowa State University.”
— 1955
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Jane Frudden Templeman Larson

Joan earned her Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University. She became the third Iowa Alpha recipient of the Tau Beta Pie Women’s Badge. She was also a recipient of the Alpha Rho Chi Medal.

Joan Fitzgerald

Joan earned her Bachelor of Science in Architectural and Architectural Engineering from Iowa State University.”
— 1953
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Eloise James Zimmerman

Eloise becomes the first licensed woman architect in Iowa.”
— 1952

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Marjorie Lovell Boley

Marjorie earned her Bachelor of Science in Architectural and Architectural Engineering from Iowa State University.”
— 1949
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Donna Davis Anderson

Donna earned her Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from Iowa State University.”
— 1947
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Eloise James Zimmerman

Eloise earned her Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from Iowa State University. She was named the first Iowa Alpha Recipient of the Iowa State Tau Beta Pi Women’s Badge.”
— 1946
“Iowa State University’s Program was re-named “Architecture and Architectural Engineering” - Introduction of the Bachelor of Architecture (BARCH) Degree. ”
— 1945

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Marjorie B. Hook Ransack

Marjorie earned her Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from Iowa State University.”
— 1943
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Stella Lucille Hatlestad

Stella was the second woman to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from Iowa State University.”
— 1924
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Dorothy Maye Sweet Harlan

Dorothy was the first female to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Iowa Sate University.”
— 1921
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Registration Law

First Iowa Architect’s Registration Law”
— 1927
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AIA Central State District

Central State District of AIA Iowa formed in 1928, including Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma”
— 1928
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Mabel Huey Cowgill

First female instructor of Architectural Engineering and Rural Structures, Iowa State University”
— 1920

“Iowa State University Architecture Program is re-named “Architectural Engineering and Rural Structures” ”
— 1918
“First architecture curriculum offered at Iowa State University under the name “Structural Design” with the College of Engineering”
— 1914
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CODE OF ETHICS

First Code of Ethics adopted by the AIA”
— 1909
“AIA Iowa Incorporated”
— 1904