
The Urbanist ‘Designing the American Century’ & ‘Women Architects at Work’
Jul 3, 2025
Thomas J. Campanella, a historian at Cornell, discusses the overlooked contributions of women in architecture and urban design. Mary Ann Hunting and Kevin D. Murphy explore how pioneers like Eleanor Raymond shattered barriers in a male-dominated field. They highlight impactful collaborations and the legacy of female architects who shaped modernism. The conversation touches on the importance of recognizing hidden histories and the evolving representation of women in architecture, inviting listeners to appreciate diversity in urbanism.
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Researching Eleanor Raymond
- Kevin D. Murphy researched Boston architect Eleanor Raymond, an early modernist whose work anticipated Walter Gropius’s.
- This sparked interest in women’s overlooked contributions to American modernism.
Uncovering Women’s Collaboration
- Mary Ann Hunting began studying Ethel Brown Power, editor and partner to architect Eleanor Raymond, uncovering their collaborative influence.
- Their work was often missed due to lack of public collection preservation.
Resilience Through Collaboration
- Women architects showed resilience by collaborating creatively to overcome barriers in a male-dominated profession.
- Collaboration with like-minded peers helped them find alternative career expressions beyond traditional paths.

