LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION celebrating the life and legacy of Louise Blanch-
ard Bethune, the first American woman recognized as a professional
architect

WHEREAS, New York State has long been the birthplace and home to great
historical figures, men and women who, through their great personal and
professional achievements, have furthered the causes of humanity,
government, education, medicine, social reform and science; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is moved to celebrate the
life and legacy of Louise Blanchard Bethune, native New Yorker, and the
first American woman recognized as a professional architect; this
pioneering woman left an indelible mark on the profession of architec-
ture and the architectural landscape of the City of Buffalo, and all of
New York State; and
WHEREAS, Louise Blanchard Bethune died on December 18, 1913; in
commemoration of the 100th anniversary of her passing, members of the
American Institute of Architects New York State (AIANYS), its Buffalo
chapter, and the Buffalo Architecture Foundation, gathered in Forest
Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, N.Y., to place a new grave marker at her final
resting place on December 18, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Jennie Louise Blanchard Bethune was born on July 21, 1856, in
Waterloo, New York; the Blanchard family moved to Buffalo where Louise
would go on to graduate from Buffalo Central High School in 1874; and
WHEREAS, At the age of 20 Louise Blanchard Bethune was offered a
draftsman position in the prestigious architecture firm of Richard A.
Waite, where she spent five years learning about architecture at the
firm; and
WHEREAS, She founded an independent firm in 1881 with her future
husband, Robert Bethune; and
WHEREAS, In 1885, Louise Blanchard Bethune was elected as a member of
the Western Association of Architects (WAA), making her the first woman
to be recognized as a professional architect; she served a term as vice
president of WAA; and
WHEREAS, In 1888, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) named
Louise Blanchard Bethune its first female associate and elevated her to
fellowship the following year; and
WHEREAS, Louise Blanchard Bethune was a trailblazer and steadfast
advocate for women's economic equality; she refused to participate in
the design competition for Women's Building for the Chicago's World
Columbian Exposition, when she discovered that women were being paid
one-tenth of what men were being paid for their designs; and
WHEREAS, Louise Blanchard Bethune was well-known for designing schools
and other public buildings; the neoclassical Hotel Lafayette, completed
in 1904, was her preeminent project and cornerstone to her legacy; and
WHEREAS, Her firm designed the Denton, Cottier & Daniels music store,
one of the first buildings to utilize a steel frame and poured concrete
slabs; and
WHEREAS, The University of Buffalo's School of Architecture repurposed
the Buffalo Meter Company Building, naming it Bethune Hall in her honor;
and
WHEREAS, Louise Blanchard Bethune deserves recognition among the
architectural giants of the late 19th and early 20th century; her name

and legacy live among the buildings she designed and the history she
made; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Louise Blanchard Bethune and for all
of the individuals who have worked to bring proper attention to her
legacy, which truly merits recognition in the grand panorama of the
history of our State and Nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life and legacy of Louise Blanchard Bethune, native New
Yorker and America's first woman architect.