Women of Steel and Stone: 22 Inspirational Architects, Engineers, and Landscape Designers

by Anna M. Lewis

Overview

2017 Best STEM Books List

Women of Steel and Stone features 22 thoroughly researched and engaging profiles of architects, engineers, and landscape designers, describing these groundbreakers' strengths, interests, and challenges as they were growing up and starting their careers, and what they achieved. Inspiring a new generation of girls who are increasingly engaged in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) fields, the biographies stress hard work, perseverance, and creativity. Set against the backdrop of landmark events such as the women’s suffrage and civil rights movements, the industrial revolution, and more, the profiles offer not only important historical context but also a look at some of the celebrated architects and engineers working today. Sidebars on related topics, source notes, and a bibliography make this an invaluable resource for further study.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781613736678
Publisher:	Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	03/01/2017
Series:	Women of Action Series
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	270
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.90(d)
Lexile:	1190L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Anna M. Lewis is an award-winning toy inventor and the owner of Ideasplash, a company that promotes child creativity through writing, websites, and classes and presentations in schools. She is a monthly contributor to the Interesting Nonfiction for Kids blog, and her articles have appeared in Appleseeds magazine, Odyssey magazine, and Toy Design Monthly. She lives in St. Charles, Illinois.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part 1 Architects

Paving the Way Louise Bethune 11

Brick by Brick Anna Wagner Keichline 21

She Built a Castle Julia Morgan 30

Frank's Right-Hand Man Marion Mahony Griffin 42

The Rosa Parks of Architecture Norma Merrick Sklarek 52

Denise Scott Brown: Husband-and-Wife Design Team 60

Builder of Buildings Natalie de Blois 71

Contemporary Architecture Star Zona Hadid 81

Building the Future Marilyn Jordan Taylor 88

Part 2 Engineers

She Built the Bridge Emily Warren Roebling 103

The Real Cheaper by the Dozen Lillian Moller Gilbreth 111

Concrete Pioneer Kate Gleason 121

Ruler of the Slide Rule Margaret Ingels 131

Making Buildings Safe Ruth Gordon Schnapp 137

Engineering Girl Judith Nitsch 146

Building Towers Aine Brazil 157

Part 3 Landscape Architects

Planting Seeds Beatrix Farrand 167

Dean of American Landscape Architecture Ellen Biddle Shipman 176

Covered All Grounds Marian Cruger Coffin 184

The Art of the Possible Cornelia Hahn Oberlander 192

Nature and Culture Carol R. Johnson 203

Modern Art and Landscape Martha Schwartz 212

Acknowledgments 221

Resources 225

Notes 231

Bibliography 243

Index 249

Editorial Reviews

"What caused a few women to counter the trends and choose these professions? What difficulties did they face in fields so new to them? And did the influences that marked their early histories reveal themselves in their work and careers? Anna Lewis’s book raises these questions, central for young people considering the future."  —Denise Scott Brown, co-founder, Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates
“A truly inspirational read, this is the kind of book that will motivate young readers to learn more about a field they may not have thought about much before.” —VOYA
“Its large font and abridged biographies make it perfect for teenagers or adults looking for a quick—but meaningful—read.” —GeekMom.com

“A much-needed, clearly presented history.” —School Library Journal 

"Inspiring." —Booklist

“An engaging book that will open up the world of architecture, landscape architecture, and engineering to young people. It reveals the inspiring and sometimes bittersweet stories of successful women.” —Judith B Tankard, landscape historian and author, Gertrude Jekyll and the Country House Garden

“Women of Steel and Stone is chock-full of role models. With easy-to-read and well-written stories of inspirational women, you can pick up the book and read about just one of these accomplished women or treat yourself to all 22.” —Stacey M. DelVecchio, 2013–14 Society of Women Engineers President

"Anna Lewis skillfully delivers real-life stories of successful women in these fields to inspire and inform readers." —Lucy Sanders, CEO and cofounder, National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT)

"For anyone interested in the field, these are inspiring stories!" —Mid-Ohio Valley Parent Magazine

"Any individual interested in women's accomplishments in these fields will find this an entertaining read." —Bookloons

"This is a truly interesting and even inspirational book." —Rhapsody in Books

"A fabulous resource for young women interested in these fascinating fields." —Creators Syndicate

From the Publisher

01/01/2014
Gr 6–8—These brief portraits provide basic information about the women's backgrounds and their successes. There are many shared features in their stories. Each individual had a passionate interest in building and designing that emerged at an early age, when she was willing to do things most ordinary girls didn't do. They all had strong family support to pursue their interests, but faced resistance in the workplace. Each woman had a firm belief that she could succeed on her own merits and a willingness to work hard to pursue her goals. While these shared features are briefly mentioned in the introduction, and readers can be challenged to find the many parallels among the stories, Lewis does not discuss the impact of race, poverty, and gender on the women's careers. Instead, there is an emphasis on "firsts"-for example, the first woman architect in America (Louise Bethune), the first woman to speak to the American Society of Civil Engineers (Emily Warren Roebling), and the first African American woman architect to be licensed in New York State (Norma Merrick Sklarek). Despite this focus on specifics, readers who are interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math will find a much-needed, clearly presented history of women in these fields.—Myra Zarnowski, City University of New York

School Library Journal