Louise Bethune, FAIA
The first professional woman architect in the United States, Louise Bethune was the first woman admitted to the American Institute of Architects in 1886. Born in 1856, she practiced architecture from 1881-1913. She was a founding member of the Bethune, Bethune & Fuchs, which designed houses, schools, commercial and industrial buildings throughout Western New York. Their most important project was the Lafayette Hotel, in Buffalo. Bethune was also a founding member of the Buffalo Women’s Wheel and Athletic Club.