The AWA was formed in 1922 by women students at Washington University in St. Louis, when they were not allowed to join the men's architectural fraternity. Mae Steinmesch, a member of AWA-LA, later recounted the founding of the organization. "In 1915 there were four girls in the School of Architecture at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Apprised of the fact that there were other women enrolled at other universities in the same field, they organized under the name 'La Confrerie Alongive.'"

The group was named Alpha Alpha Gamma and Washington University's chapter was the Alpha Chapter. Soon after, Beta Chapter was formed at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Gamma Chapter at the University of Texas in Austin, and Delta Chapter at the University of California, Berkeley. The four groups met in annual conventions in 1922, 23, and 24. In succeeding years, student chapters were formed at the University of Illinois, the University of Michigan, Cornell University, the University of Kansas, Alabama Polytechnic, and the University of California, Los Angeles.

As members graduated and took their place in the professional world, they established chapters in cities such as Chicago, New York, Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis. Originally called the "Association of Women in Architecture and the Allied Arts", the national organization was founded in 1928. The group published the newsletter "Keystone" and organized bi-annual conventions.

The national organization of AWA was disbanded in 1969 and local chapters continued in various cities for a number of years. Over the years, women students have continued to enroll in larger numbers in architecture schools, and women in architecture and allied professions have joined the AIA and other organizations, thus broadening their support and position in the profession. the Los Angeles Chapter changed its name from "Association of Women in Architecture" to "Association for Women in Architecture" in 1980, as men were expressing interest in joining and supporting the goals of the organization.

AWA-LA has remained the largest continuing chapter, with current membership of over 180 architects, landscape architects, engineers, designers, educators, and students.

Mae Steinmesch,one of the original founders of Alpha Alpha Gamma.

For information, contact:
ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE
386 Beech Avenue Unit B4, Torrance, CA 90501
310.533.4042