Seeking Suggestions: Women in Planning

by Kristen E. Humphrey, MLA, Local Assistance and Training Planner

Did you know that March is National Women’s History Month? Additionally, Governor Larry Hogan has proclaimed 2020 as the Year of the Woman in Maryland, in advance of the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

Numerous events, exhibits, and tours of historic sites related to women’s suffrage are slated  occur throughout the state, culminating in the 2020 Women’s Centennial Summit scheduled for August in Annapolis. While the fate of some of the planned events may be uncertain, given the COVID-19 pandemic, Planning will continue to celebrate the contributions of women planners digitally.

First, the Maryland Historical Trust, a division of Planning, created Maryland Women’s Fight for the Vote – a Story Map. This online tool highlights nearly two dozen historic sites around the state where Maryland women worked to advance their cause as early as 1648 when Margaret Brent, America’s first suffragette, demanded (albeit unsuccessfully) the right to vote in the Maryland General Assembly’s proceedings.

Planning is launching a series of online articles called Women in Planning: How Women Have Shaped the Profession as well as Our Communities. We will cover women of national and international influence – beginning with Jane Jacobs in our May edition to mark the 104th anniversary of her birth – however we are especially eager to highlight Maryland women in planning.  

IMAGE SOURCE — https://transnationalarchitecturegroup.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/cj-jane2-quotes.png

 Each month from now until the end of the year, we will run an article and/or short biography on a female professional or citizen planner of influence. We have some thoughts but really want your input! Please send us your ideas of women planners who historically contributed, or currently are contributing, to the profession and the shaping of our state. They can be either well or lesser-known, but those who you feel are or have been significant in the field. 

Please email your suggestions to Local Assistance and Training Planner, Kristen Humphrey, by April 30th, 2020. Be sure to type Women in Planning Series in the subject line and include the following information about the planner in the body of your email:

• Name
• Where in Maryland she practiced/practices
• If deceased, please provide years of life
• Role(s) or influence in planning, past, present or future
• Why she should be highlighted
• Who to contact for more information

…and be sure to look for the first of the Women in Planning Series in May!