American Dream
“I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be engulfed, every hill shall be exalted and every mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plains and the crooked places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together...
Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you, my friends, we have the difficulties of today and tomorrow.
I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed. We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.”
Today, we close out Black History month and begin Women’s History Month. These special celebrations are important to be sure; however, we understand that to make dreams come true, we cannot merely celebrate and acknowledge them for a month. We must celebrate for a lifetime. That is why we chose this day to do our own celebrating. It’s a way to shine a light on the bridge that must be built in order to connect all people and all ideas through open hearts and open minds. It’s a way to celebrate not just the people, but the concept that every day ought to be a celebration that affects change.
To dream, one must be open. To dream, one must open eyes and ears. To dream, one must be open to opportunities. It is up to all of us to open our eyes and see, to open our ears and listen, and to not only open the doors to opportunity, but to build them.
MLK dreamed about the fulfillment of the American Dream, for everyone. Black, brown, white, men, and women… Here we share the accomplishments of a Black Woman, ahead of her time, a leader and mentor for those who followed. She dared to dream. She led the way with an open heart, mind, eyes and ears. Her dream reshaped and built the vision of our future.
Architect Norma Merrick Sklarek (born April 15, 1926 in Harlem, New York) worked behind the scenes on some of the largest architectural projects in America. Notable in architectural history as the first Black American woman registered architect in New York and California, Sklarek was also the first Black woman to be elected to the prestigious Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA). In addition to being the production architect for many high-profile Gruen and Associates projects, Sklarek became a role model to many young women entering the male-dominated architecture profession.
Sklarek's legacy as a mentor is profound. Because of the disparities she faced in her life and career, Norma Merrick Sklarek could be sympathetic to the struggles of others. She led with her charm, grace, wisdom, and hard work. She never excused racism and sexism but gave others the strength to deal with adversities. Architect Roberta Washington has called Sklarek "the reigning mother hen to us all." Others have called her "The Rosa Parks of Architecture."
Sklarek's race and sex often were marketing detriments at the time of her employment with major architectural firms. When she was a director at Gruen Associates (Los Angeles CA), Sklarek collaborated with Argentina-born César Pelli (Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, New Haven CT and Dean at Yale School of Architecture 1977-84) on a number of projects. Pelli was Gruen's Design Partner from 1968 to 1976, which associated his name with new buildings. As Production Director, Skarek had immense responsibilities but was rarely acknowledged on the finished project.
This project, which she worked with Cesar Pelli is the PACIFIC DESIGN CENTER, West Hollywood, CA. It houses the top decorating and furniture market in the US. And hosts Elton John’s AIDS Foundation Academy Award Party every year.
All artists - whether an artist of words, song, buildings, or dance - point to what is possible… what is new… what is fresh. This year and always, let us vow to celebrate MLK, Sklarek, and everyone who dares to dream. Moreover, let us all be architects of change. We vow to continue to post features about all types of dreamers, thought leaders, and change makers as a way to inspire others to be part of this change.
Because there is no celebration unless there is change.
by Paige Miglio, Executive Director