First African American woman to co-found a woman-owned architectural firm

In 1985, recorded here as January 1, 1985 for timeline purposes, Norma Merrick Sklarek co-founded the architectural firm Siegel, Sklarek, and Diamond, becoming the first African American woman to found and co-own a woman-owned architectural firm.[1][5][7][8] The firm was established with partners Margot Siegel and Katherine Diamond, and while sources confirm the year, they do not specify the exact founding date.

Siegel, Sklarek, and Diamond was notable both for its female leadership structure and for the presence of a Black woman as co-owner in a field where women—and especially women of color—were rarely firm principals. The practice focused on large-scale commercial and institutional projects, leveraging Sklarek’s extensive experience in production architecture and project management.[5][11]

This milestone was historically significant because it shifted Sklarek from a trailblazing employee and executive within established firms to an entrepreneur shaping her own practice. Co-owning a woman-led firm gave her greater autonomy over hiring, promotion, and mentorship, allowing her to support younger women and minority architects more directly.[1][7]

The firm’s existence demonstrated that women could not only participate in but also direct the business side of architecture, including client relations and strategic decisions. For subsequent generations, Siegel, Sklarek, and Diamond became a touchstone in narratives about women-owned firms and minority leadership in the profession.[8][11] It further solidified Sklarek’s legacy as a "woman of firsts," extending her influence from licensure and institutional recognition into entrepreneurial innovation and workplace culture.