Meet Ethel Bailey Furman: The Earliest Known Black Female Architect In Virginia

1 Posted by - March 13, 2022 - BLACK WOMEN, LATEST POSTS

Ethel Bailey Furman was one of the earliest women to work as an architect in Virginia.

The daughter of a Richmond building contractor, Ethel Madison Bailey Carter Furman (July 6, 1893–February 24, 1976) studied architecture privately in New York City. Returning to Richmond with her family in 1921, she began designing houses for local residents. She worked in partnership with her father, while also raising three children and holding a variety of other jobs to supplement her family’s income.

Furman surmounted the discrimination she faced as a woman, often by submitting her building plans to local administrators through the male contractors with whom she worked. Late in the 1920s she was the only woman who attended the Hampton Institute’s annual Builders’ Conference. She continued her training in the 1940s with coursework in architectural drafting at the Chicago Technical College. Throughout her long career, Furman designed an estimated two hundred residences and churches in central Virginia as well as two churches built in Liberia. Her 1962 design for the educational wing of Richmond’s Fourth Baptist Church was recognized on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Church Hill North Historic District extension in 2000.

A leader in her community, Furman was recognized for her extensive civic work by the Richmond Afro-American in 1958. A Church Hill park was named in her honor in 1985.

article found @http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/vawomen/2010/honoree.asp?bio=5

8 Comments

  • Katherine June 14, 2017 - 11:13 pm

    Thank for posting. As a black, woman architect I am always looking to learn more about women who preceded me.

  • Darrl Davenport July 27, 2018 - 1:19 pm

    She lived across the street from my Grandmother’s home in the 70’s, very nice lady who gave piano lessons in her home.

  • download minecraft pc May 9, 2019 - 12:02 am

    Yes! Finally someone writes about minecraft pc download.

  • g May 11, 2019 - 5:37 am

    This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post.

    Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!

  • minecraft download mojang May 15, 2019 - 3:08 am

    I could not resist commenting. Exceptionally well written!

  • minecraft pc download May 16, 2019 - 6:09 pm

    Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but
    after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
    Nonetheless, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!

  • FranMonry June 3, 2019 - 4:02 pm

    Order Kamagra Jelly Online Vent Kamagra Buy Sildenafil Tablets Comprar Cialis Sonora Propecia Naturale

  • FranMonry June 10, 2019 - 9:50 pm

    Viagra Drug Information Dosage Cephalexin Bladder Infection viagra Macrobid Saturday Delivery