Lecture on women pioneers in architecture, engineering

In the world of education today, STEM - the much-used acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math - has become the buzzword in curriculum development and career planning to better prepare students for jobs of the future that rely on these skills. These fields traditionally have been dominated by men, and one of STEM's goals is to open career paths not previously popular with or available to girls.

The Elmhurst History Museum's current exhibit, "In Her Own Right: Marion Mahony Griffin" sheds light on the first woman architect in Illinois, a pioneer in her field and an innovative architect, illustrator and landscape designer in the Prairie School. Mahony Griffin was far ahead of her time when it came to blazing a trail in a STEM field, and she is profiled in the book, "Women of Steel and Stone: 22 Inspirational Architects, Engineers and Landscape Designers," written by Anna M. Lewis.

Lewis share stories of Mahony Griffin and other inspiring women at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, in the Elmhurst History Museum's Education Center, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst. She will sign and sell books after the program.

Lewis' book tells the stories of 22 female architects, engineers and landscape designers from the 1800s to today and profiles their childhood passions, perseverance and creativity that led these women to overcome challenges and break barriers to achieve success in their professions. In addition to Marion Mahony Griffin, who worked alongside Frank Lloyd Wright to establish his distinct architectural-drawing style, subjects include: Emily Warren Roebling, who, after her husband fell ill, took over the duties of chief engineer on the Brooklyn Bridge project; Marian Cruger Coffin, a landscape architect who designed estates of Gilded Age mansions; Beverly L. Greene, the first African-American woman in the country to get her architecture license; Zaha Hadid, one of today's best-known architects and the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize; and many others.

The program is free. Reservations may be made online at elmhursthistory.org (in the Adult Program section) or by calling (630) 530-6879.

Before and after the talk, participants are invited to learn more about Mahony Griffin by touring the In Her Own Right exhibit inside the Elmhurst History Museum. The museum is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free.