Women in the ASLA: A Descriptive Analysis

Abstract

The extent of women's involvement in the ASLA has not been fully recognized or documented but has been approximated through various studies on women in landscape architecture. Documenting the history of female membership is one method of understanding the current status of women in landscape architecture and the direction women in the Society may take in the future.

This study is a descriptive analysis of female membership and leadership participation in ASLA as determined by an assessment of its annual membership and governing structure (at the national level, through the National Elected 0fficers, Board of Trustees, and National Committee Chairs, and at the local level, through Chapter Presidents and Chapter Secretaries). The study found that women have been members of the ASLA from its beginning and have steadily increased their numbers over the last ninety-five years. Fellow, the highest category of membership in ASLA, appears to have an artificially low representation of both men and women. The study indicated A direct relationship was indicated between male fellows and male membership but no relationship at all was found between female Fellows and female membership. Women entered the governing structure of the Society during the 1930s through Chapter Secretary and Chapter President positions as well as by serving as National Committee Chairs. By 1954, women gained access to the Board of Trustees, and by the late 1970s, entered the governing structure and since then have advanced within each level making their greatest advancements from the mid 1970s to 1995.