LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the life and legacy of Louise Blanchard
Bethune, native New Yorker and 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 pleased to honor the life
and legacy of Louise Blanchard Bethune, native New Yorker and the first
American woman recognized as a professional architect; and
WHEREAS, Jennie Louise Blanchard Bethune was born on July 21, 1856, in
Waterloo, New York; and
WHEREAS, 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 was offered a draftsman position in
the prestigious architecture firm of Richard A. Waite; she spent five
years learning about architecture at the firm; and
WHEREAS, Louise founded an independent firm in 1881 with her future
husband, Robert Bethune; and
WHEREAS, In 1885, Louise was elected as a member of the Western Asso-
ciation 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 its first female associate and elevated her to fellowship the
following year; and
WHEREAS, Louise was a trailblazer and steadfast advocate for women's
economic equality; and
WHEREAS, 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 1/10 of what men were being paid
for their designs; and
WHEREAS, Louise was well-known for designing schools and other public
buildings; 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 neoclassical Hotel Lafayette, completed in 1904, was her
preeminent project and cornerstone to her legacy; and
WHEREAS, December 19, 2013, marked the 100th Anniversary of Louise's
death; and
WHEREAS, Louise Bethune deserves recognition among the architectural
giants of the late 19th and early 20th Century; 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, In commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Bethune's pass-
ing, the American Institute of Architects New York State (AIANYS), its
Buffalo chapter, and the Buffalo Architecture Foundation, dedicated a
memorial grave marker at her gravesite in Forest Lawn Cemetery; and
WHEREAS, Her name and legacy lives 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.